Gaëlle Solal performs Capricho Catalán at Siccas Guitars

In this concert video by Siccas Guitars, French classical guitarist Gaëlle Solal presents an interpretation of Capricho Catalán by Isaac Albéniz. The recording brings together a distinctive work from the Spanish repertoire with a clear, differentiated reading and highlights the tonal possibilities of a modern classical guitar.

Gaëlle Solal as an interpreter

Gaëlle Solal is among the internationally established classical guitarists of her generation. Her programs are often characterized by stylistic openness, combining classical repertoire with music from Spain and Latin America. Her playing is marked by rhythmic precision, clear articulation, and a strong sense of musical structure.

In this recording, Solal focuses on subtle contrasts of tone color and dynamics, elements that are essential to the expressive character of Albéniz’s music.

Isaac Albéniz and Capricho Catalán

Isaac Albéniz is one of the defining figures of late nineteenth-century Spanish music. Many of his works were originally written for piano and later successfully adapted for the guitar. Capricho Catalán is shaped by dance-like elements, shifting moods, and a clearly defined melodic line.

The version performed here is based on an arrangement by Selina Copley, which makes full use of the guitar’s idiomatic possibilities while respecting the pianistic origins of the piece. Rhythmic accents alternate with cantabile passages, giving the work its distinctive character.

The instrument: Reza Safavian 2025

For this performance, Gaëlle Solal plays a Reza Safavian classical guitar built in 2025. The instrument supports clear separation of voices and an even response across all registers. In rhythmically driven passages in particular, the guitar allows precise realization of musical detail.

The combination of modern construction and controlled tonal development provides a stable foundation for the nuanced interpretation that Capricho Catalán requires.

Recorded at Siccas Guitars

The video was recorded at Siccas Guitars and documents a focused musical interpretation in a clear acoustic setting. The recording places attention on the music and the instrument, offering an unobstructed impression of playing style, sound, and repertoire.

Music, interpretation, and instrument in context

This recording with Gaëlle Solal shows how Spanish repertoire, a considered interpretation, and a contemporary classical guitar interact. Capricho Catalán gains a clear and structured presence through Solal’s differentiated reading and the tonal qualities of the Reza Safavian guitar.