Eduardo Alonso-Crespo Argentine composer Date of Birth: 01.01.1956 Country: Argentina

1. Early Life and Education
2. Fulbright Scholarship and Graduate Study
3. Compositions and Music for the Stage
4. International Performances and Recognition
5. Conductorships and Artistic Directorships

Early Life and Education

Born in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, Eduardo Alonso-Crespo was raised in Salta, a city in the northwest of the country. He received his early music education from Elizabeth Ocaña de García and continued his studies at the School of Musical Arts of the National University of Tucumán. Interestingly, he also earned a degree in civil engineering from the university.

Fulbright Scholarship and Graduate Study

With a Fulbright Grant, Alonso-Crespo moved to the United States and enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University. He studied under renowned teachers such as Lukas Foss, Leonardo Balada, and Samuel Jones, earning a Master's degree. He continued his education by attending workshops and special courses with Max Rudolf, Gunther Schuller, Julio Lazarte, and Henry Holt.

Compositions and Music for the Stage

Alonso-Crespo is primarily known for his chamber and symphony compositions. He has also composed music for theatrical performances, including the ballet "Medea" (1985). In 1986, he was invited to participate in both the opera and ballet categories of the First Buenos Aires Summer Festival. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts of Argentina to compose his second opera.

In 1994, Alonso-Crespo won the Argentine "Iris Marga" Award for best original soundtrack for a theatrical production for his work on "Macbeth." In 2004, he composed the music for the opera "Putzi," based on an anecdotal story from the life of Franz Liszt.

International Performances and Recognition

Alonso-Crespo's music has been performed in various countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, China, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France.

Conductorships and Artistic Directorships

From 1989 to 2000, Alonso-Crespo served as the Music Director of both the Tucumán Symphony Orchestra and the Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble. He held these positions simultaneously for 11 years, taking advantage of the staggered music seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Currently, Alonso-Crespo is the Principal Guest Conductor and Composer of the Salta Symphony Orchestra. This less demanding schedule allows him to focus more closely on the orchestra's needs.