Malaguena Fantasia

About This Song

The original “Malagueña” is a song by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. Written in 1928 it was originally the sixth movement of Lecuona’s “Suite Andalucia”, to which he added lyrics in Spanish. The song has since become a popular, jazz, marching band, and drum corps standard and has been provided with lyrics in several languages. Carlos Montoya adapted it for flamenco-style guitar, and it was the title track on his 1961 live album, “Malagueña” on the RCA Victor label. This recording was influential in the piece becoming a guitar standard, even though it was originally written for the piano. This version is an adaptation to the main theme and improvisation by Mr. Pasero that was eventually transcribed and engraved to sheet music from his recording sessions.