World-renowned Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas took the stage as a soloist with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Antonio Pirolli. Prior to the concert, Villegas shared his reflections on music, culture, and the emotional power of performance.
Highlighting the cultural kinship between Spain and Türkiye, Villegas remarked, “Both countries are Mediterranean. We share a similar heartbeat—toward life and everything around us.” Emphasizing music’s unique ability to bring people together and create common ground, he said, “Music and art are acts of generosity offered to people. They serve as a reminder that every person has a beautiful heart that beats and feels wonderful emotions every single day.”
Villegas expressed his deep affection for Türkiye, noting that he feels at home every time he visits. “I love Türkiye. I come from Spain, and I believe both nations belong to the Mediterranean culture. We have many things in common. Sharing the stage here is not only a pleasure but also a source of inspiration,” he said.
FLAMENCO AND TURKISH FOLK MUSIC SHARE COMMON GROUND
Stressing the connective power of music, Villegas also drew a parallel between Flamenco and Turkish folk music. “Spanish music is about passion—drama, seriousness, joy… all at once. I believe Turkish music carries the same emotions, because throughout history, Türkiye has served as a bridge between Asia and Europe,” he explained. “When you listen to Flamenco or Turkish folk melodies, you can hear the many similarities between them.”
Villegas underscored that the essence of art is to be shared: “Music belongs to people. They are the ones who witness its creation. Everything we do—myself, the orchestra, anyone involved in the arts—is for the people. Music and art are acts of generosity meant to remind us of the beauty and emotional richness within the human heart.”
THE GUITAR HAS TWO PERSONALITIES
Villegas also shared insights into the dual nature of performing on the guitar. “The guitar has two different personalities. When you play with an orchestra, the performance is more extroverted. In a solo recital, it can become deeply intimate. These require two distinct approaches,” he said. “I love playing with an orchestra—it’s a collaboration, an interaction. And that’s a beautiful reflection of life itself. When we play together, we can turn dreams into reality.”
A DEEP CONNECTION TO ‘CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ’
Villegas revealed that Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, featured in the concert program, is the piece he has performed most throughout his career. “This concerto has become part of who I am. I’ve played it hundreds of times across the world. My voice blends with the voice of the composer, and through that, I invite the audience to join in the journey, the story, the emotion,” he explained.
He also highlighted the emotional depth of the second movement: “The composer had lost his child, and in this piece, the guitar represents his anguished cry to God. The orchestra symbolizes God’s voice. It becomes a prayer: ‘Why did you take my son?’ The guitar weeps. Then comes a moment when the entire orchestra bursts in with full force—as if it’s the voice of God. That’s the epiphany—the moment the composer accepts his fate. Because life and death are one.”
Under the baton of Antonio Pirolli, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and Pablo Sainz Villegas performed Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in the first half of the program. The evening concluded with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, bringing the concert to a dramatic close.
