El Cid was the name of the legendary knight and folk hero Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar Cameador, the man who never lost a duel. After a typically Spanish opening, a slower section follows in which the composer makes reference to Albinoni’s Adagio and to the slow movement from Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto d’Aranjuez. The music is whipped up with Spanish passion at the close, and castanets are a must!