Another piece by Francisco de Asís Tárrega y Eixea, better known as Tarrega. Obligatory trivia: a turn of the century Spanish guitarist, pianist and composer, Tarrega was nearly blind, and made a habit of running away to live with gypsies when he was a child. The “Capricho árabe” is an “Arab whimsy,” characterized by a moody and atmospheric opening loosely in 3/4, followed by its most recognizable and rhythmic section in 4/4—both in D minor; the piece then changes to F major (the “relative major” of D minor); then to D major; and then a final recapitulation of the rhythmic 4/4 D minor section. The piece features some fast scales but is surprisingly easy to learn, and was a major project for my first few weeks in France. Perhaps I should rename it “Caprice français.” But as to the original title, it’s hard to overestimate the importance of the Moorish (Arabic) occupation of Spain for Spanish culture, and for guitar music in particular.