 |
Jesus Arambarri y GarateSpanish composer and conductor of Basque origin
Date of Birth: 13.04.1902
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga: Basque Composer and Conductor
- Musical Influences
- Early Works
- Later Work and Return to Bilbao
- Memorial Compositions and Zarzuela
- Conducting and Legacy
Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga: Basque Composer and Conductor
Early Life and EducationJuan Crisóstomo de Arriaga y Balzola was a Spanish composer and conductor born on March 27, 1806, in Bilbao, Basque Country. He studied at the Bilbao Conservatory under Jesús Guridi and later in Paris with Paul Le Flem and Paul Dukas. In Basel, he received instruction from Felix Weingartner and Vladimir Golshman in conducting.
Musical Influences
Arriaga's compositions drew heavily on Basque musical traditions, but he also incorporated influences from Spanish national composers of the Silver Age, such as Isaac Albéniz and Manuel de Falla.
Early Works
Arriaga's most notable early works include the orchestral prelude "Gabon zar Sorgi?ak" (1930) and the "Eight Basque Songs" for soprano and orchestra (1931).
Later Work and Return to Bilbao
After returning to Bilbao, Arriaga focused primarily on conducting, leading the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and transforming it into a professional ensemble. He became the principal conductor of the Madrid Municipal Symphonic Wind Orchestra in 1953.
Memorial Compositions and Zarzuela
In later years, Arriaga composed several memorial pieces, including "Ofrenda" (1946) in memory of Manuel de Falla and "In Memoriam" (1939) for the poet Juan Carlos Gortázar. He also wrote the zarzuela (Spanish operetta) "Viento Sur."
Conducting and Legacy
Arriaga made significant contributions to the development of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and promoted Basque music through his conducting. He died tragically while conducting a concert at the Retiro Park in Madrid on June 7, 1985.
