South America

16 November

November 16th

Thomas Pitts Music, South America, Uruguay 2 Creole Pieces, 2 Piezas Criollas, Mortet, November

Luis Cluzeau Mortet 16 November 1888 – 28 September 1957

2 Piezas Criollas 2 Creole Pieces

Luis Cluzeau Mortet
From https://www.pianorarescores.com/archive/luis-cluzeau-mortet-divagaciones-preludos-visiones-sheet-music/?srsltid=AfmBOopLb_Z2eqpJU37rKf20IFCemlJwhn1IVTdwZaI5MrQoSuCZq4YP

Luis Cluzeau Mortet, born on 16 November 1888, was a notable Uruguayan composer and musician known for his contributions to music in the early 20th century. Alongside fellow musicians like Alfonso Broqua, Eduardo Fabini, and Vicente Ascone, he represented a nationalist movement in Uruguayan music during the 1910s and 1920s. Mortet served as the first violin for the SODRE Symphony Orchestra from 1931 until 1946, but he had to leave this position due to a hearing issue.

As a composer, Mortet is best celebrated for his piano works, songs, and symphonic music. He created several significant pieces for orchestra, including Rancherío, Poema Nativo, and Sinfonía Artigas. Two famous tangos he wrote, “El Quinielero” and “Gimiendo,” were recorded by the legendary Carlos Gardel. His most acclaimed piece, Carreta Quemada, was composed in 1916. In addition to his musical career, Mortet was a dedicated high school teacher and was honoured as the Honorary Choir Director for the National Institute for the Blind. His grandfather, Pablo Faget, was also a talented French-Uruguayan composer and pianist.

2 November

November 2nd

Thomas Pitts Argentina, Music, South America Desencanto, November, Stampone

Atilio Stampone 1 July 1926 – 2 November 2022

Desencanto

Atilio Stampone
By AtilioStampone.JPG: Alepostaderivative work: Aleposta (talk) – AtilioStampone.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9863777

Atilio Stampone was an Argentine pianist, composer, and arranger known for his contribution to the Tango genre. Born on 1 July 1926 in Buenos Aires, he came from a family with musical roots. His brother Giuseppe, a bandoneón player, inspired Atilio to pursue music when he gifted him a piano during his recovery from surgery at age 10. He joined his brother’s tango group and, in 1941, performed with Café Marzotto’s orchestra. A talented pianist, he went on to study at the prestigious Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires while working in various orchestras.

Atilio collaborated with many notable musicians, including Ástor Piazzolla, and studied in Rome on a scholarship. Throughout his career, he formed several orchestras, recorded numerous albums, and composed music for films and ballets. His venue, Caño 14, helped keep tango alive during a challenging time.

13 October

October 13th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America Mendes, October, Viva Villa!

Gilberto Mendes 13 October 1922 – 1 January 2016

Viva Villa!

Gilberto Mendes
By Dietrich Hilmi – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75149203

Gilberto Mendes was a remarkable Brazilian composer born on 13 October 1922 in Santos, Brazil. He was known for his innovative approach to music and was one of the founders of New Consonant Music, a group that aimed to explore new sound possibilities. Mendes studied piano under Antonieta Rudge and harmony with Sabino de Benedictis, drawing inspiration from the famous composer Villa-Lobos.

His early works showcased the beginnings of bossa nova, and he was deeply influenced by the Noigandres poets, which helped shape his artistic vision. Mendes attended the Santos Conservatory from 1941 to 1948, later studying composition with renowned musicians. He participated in the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music, where he learned from influential figures like Pierre Boulez.

In 1962, he founded the New Music Festival, promoting experimental music. Mendes created various compositions, including orchestral and chamber works.

26 September

September 26th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America O Astronauta, Powell, Samba Triste, September

Baden Powell 6 August 1937 – 26 September 2000

O Astronauta

Samba Triste

Baden Powell
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5301263

Baden Powell de Aquino, born on 6 August 1937 in Brazil, was a remarkable guitarist and composer. He is celebrated for blending classical techniques with Brazilian genres like bossa nova and samba. Baden began playing guitar at a young age and quickly demonstrated his exceptional talent, winning competitions as a child. By fifteen, he was performing professionally and captured the interest of many musicians.

Notably, in 1966, he collaborated with poet Vinicius de Moraes to release the influential album “Os Afro-Sambas,” which married samba with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Throughout his career, Baden created numerous iconic compositions, such as “Samba Triste” and “Canto de Ossanha,” that are still beloved today.

Powell gained recognition in Brazil and abroad, touring extensively. Despite facing health issues later in life, he continued to perform and record music until his passing on 26 September 2000. His unique playing style, characterised by a mix of jazz harmonies and traditional rhythms, established him as one of Brazil’s greatest guitarists.

12 June

June 12th

Thomas Pitts Music, South America, Venezuela Ballade Op. 15 for piano, Carreño, June

Teresa Carreño December 22, 1853 – June 12, 1917

Ballade Op. 15 for piano

Teresa Carreño
By George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress)Restored by Adam Cuerden – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID ggbain.23737.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6067786

Teresa Carreño (1853–1917) was a talented Venezuelan pianist, singer, composer, and conductor. Born in Caracas to a musical family, her father was a pianist and teacher, which influenced her early talent. At the age of eight, she performed her first concert in New York after moving there due to political troubles in Venezuela. Incredibly, she even played for President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, marking the beginning of her impressive career.

Carreño studied with famous musicians and toured widely, earning admiration for her extraordinary skill and stage presence. She composed both piano and orchestral music, producing works that reflected her time’s Romantic style. Despite challenges as a female musician in a male-dominated field, she thrived, balancing family and work. Carreño’s legacy continues today, celebrating her as one of Latin America’s most important classical artists.

24 April

April 24th

Thomas Pitts Mexico, Music, South America April, Ponce, Rapsodia Mexicana No.1

Manuel Ponce 8 December 1882 – 24 April 1948

Rapsodia Mexicana No.1

Manuel Ponce
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7865119

Manuel Ponce was a famous Mexican composer and musician, born in 1882. He is best known for his beautiful guitar music and his contribution to classical music. Ponce grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico, where he began to learn music at a young age. His passion for music led him to study in Paris, France, where he was influenced by many great composers.

Ponce’s music is often inspired by the traditional sounds of his home country, featuring lively rhythms and melodies. One of his most notable works is the “Sonata for Guitar,” which is still performed by guitarists today. Ponce wrote many songs, instrumental pieces, and even operas, showcasing his talent across different musical styles.

Throughout his life, Ponce promoted Mexican culture through music, and he significantly influenced future generations of musicians. His legacy continues today, as many musicians admire his work, making him an important figure in both Mexican and classical music history.

15 April

April 15th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America A Paz, April, Braga, Episodio Sinfonico

Antônio Francisco Braga 15 April 1868 – 14 March 1945

A Paz

Episodio Sinfonico

Antônio Francisco Braga
By Unknown – Arquivo Nacional, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72421283

Antônio Francisco Braga was a Brazilian composer, conductor, and teacher born on 15 April 1868 in Rio de Janeiro. He played a crucial role in the development of classical music in Brazil, especially during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. Braga’s music blended European styles with national elements, making him an important figure in Brazilian Romanticism. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris under Jules Massenet, which significantly influenced his musical style.

Upon returning to Brazil, Braga became a well-known cultural figure. He founded the Sociedade de Concertos Populares and conducted the Rio de Janeiro Symphonic Orchestra. His works included orchestral pieces, operas, and even a famous version of the Brazilian National Anthem. Although he is less known internationally compared to other composers, Braga’s legacy remains important as he helped shape Brazilian music and culture.

14 April

April 14th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America April, Oswald, Trio No. 3 in B Major

Henrique Oswald 14 April 1852 – 9 June 1931

Trio No. 3 in B Major Op. 45

Henrique Oswald
By Unknown – Arquivo Nacional, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73411782

Henrique Oswald was a Brazilian composer and pianist, born on 14 April 1852 in Rio de Janeiro. He came from a culturally rich family, with a Swiss-German father and an Italian mother. In 1854, his family moved to São Paulo, where Oswald began his music studies. He showed remarkable talent and later continued his education in Europe, especially in Florence, where he became a successful pianist and composer.

Oswald’s music reflects the European Romantic style, influenced by famous composers like Chopin and Schumann. He mainly created piano and chamber works, which are known for their beauty and technical skill. One of his notable pieces is the String Quartet No. 2. In 1903, he returned to Brazil and worked as the director of the Instituto Nacional de Música, helping to develop music education in the country. Although he was less recognized than other composers, Oswald’s legacy continues to grow and his music is now appreciated for its elegance and emotional depth.

11 April

April 11th

Thomas Pitts Argentina, Music, South America April, Estancia Suite, Ginastera

Alberto Ginastera 11 April 1916 - 25 June 1983

Estancia (Dances from)

Alberto Ginastera
By Annemarie Heinrich – Annemarie Heinrich, Centro Editor de América Latina, Buenos Aires: 1982., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72911520

Alberto Ginastera was an Argentine composer born on 11 April 1916 in Buenos Aires. He is known for blending Latin American folk music with classical styles. Ginastera studied at the National Conservatory of Music and became famous for his unique musical voice. His early compositions featured a style called nacionalismo, which celebrated Argentine folk elements. Later, his music evolved into modernist forms.

Ginastera’s work is divided into three main periods. The first, Objective Nationalism, directly used folk rhythms. The second, Subjective Nationalism, transformed these elements into personal expressions. The last, Neo-Expressionism, introduced new techniques and experimental sounds. Some of his most famous pieces include “Estancia,” a ballet about the Argentine countryside, and “Concerto for Harp,” a significant work for the instrument. Ginastera’s influence on music continues to this day, as his compositions are performed around the world.