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Francisco Tárrega was a highly influential Spanish composer and virtuoso guitarist of the Romantic period, often called the 'father of modern classical guitar'. Born in Villarreal, Spain, Tárrega overcame childhood blindness to become a guitar prodigy. He studied at the Madrid Conservatory, initially focusing on piano before dedicating himself entirely to the guitar. His compositions, transcriptions, and technical innovations fundamentally shaped modern guitar technique and repertoire. He spent much of his life teaching and performing, leaving behind a legacy of essential works for the instrument.

• As a young child, Tárrega fell into an irrigation canal and damaged his eyes, leading to periods of blindness. This experience deeply influenced his sensitive approach to music.
• His father, fearing the guitar's association with vagrants, initially tried to steer him towards piano. Tárrega famously ran away from home at least once, reportedly leaving a note saying "I want to be a guitarist".
• A crucial turning point was studying with renowned guitarist Julián Arcas in Barcelona. Arcas recognized his talent and advised Tárrega's father to allow him to pursue the guitar professionally.
• He pioneered the use of the guitar's unique timbral possibilities, like the "tremolo" technique, famously showcased in his piece "Recuerdos de la Alhambra".
• Tárrega suffered from a form of paralysis in his later years, believed to be caused by a neurological disorder like Parkinson's disease or a stroke. This significantly limited his ability to perform.
• He died in Barcelona at the age of 57. His iconic melody "Gran Vals" later became the basis for the Nokia ringtone, bringing a snippet of his music to global ubiquity centuries later.
• Some sources list his birth date as November 29th, though November 21st is more commonly cited in major references.