The Spanish composer behind the world's most famous ringtone was a guitar virtuoso

Music · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Francisco Tárrega, a titan of the late Romantic period, transformed the guitar from a mere accompaniment tool into a sophisticated recital instrument. While millions recognize his Gran Vals as the iconic Nokia tune, his true legacy lies in laying the foundations for the 20th-century classical guitar and its global repertoire.

Born in 1852 in Villarreal, Spain, Tárrega’s path to musical mastery was unconventional. As a child, he survived an accident that threatened his sight, leading his father to prioritize music education as a viable career for a potentially blind son. By his early teens, he was already proficient on both piano and guitar, eventually choosing to focus on the latter under the guidance of Emilio Arrieta at the Madrid Royal Conservatory. His development was deeply influenced by the superior sonic qualities of guitars built by Antonio de Torres, which encouraged him to explore the instrument's full compositional potential.

Tárrega’s career was defined by his intimate performance style and his commitment to expanding the guitar's reach. He transcribed numerous piano works by masters like Beethoven and Chopin, while also composing approximately 80 original pieces that blended Romantic sensibilities with Spanish folk elements. His work, including the evocative Recuerdos de la Alhambra, was often inspired by his travels and the support of patrons like Concepción Gómez de Jacoby. In his later years, he innovated a distinct sound by cutting his fingernails, a technique that became a hallmark of his school of playing.

Despite his immense influence, Tárrega’s life was marked by personal tragedy and health struggles. He lost an infant daughter in the winter of 1885 and suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1906, from which he never fully recovered. He passed away in 1909 at age 57. Today, his legacy persists not only through the ubiquitous Nokia ringtone but through the ongoing Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition and the generations of students who disseminated his techniques worldwide, cementing his status as the 'Sarasate of the guitar'.

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