Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

February 21, 1893 in Linares, Granada, Spain

Death

:

June 2, 1987 in Madrid, Spain

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Andrés Segovia was a Spanish classical guitarist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He was born on February 21, 1893, in Linares, a small town in the province of Jaén, Andalusia, Spain. His father was a prosperous businessman who encouraged his son's musical interests from an early age. Segovia began playing the guitar at the age of six and was soon recognized as a prodigy. Segovia's early musical education was informal, and he was largely self-taught. He learned to read music and studied the works of the great composers, including Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. He also studied the works of Spanish composers such as Isaac Albéniz and Manuel de Falla, who would later become his close friends and collaborators. In 1909, Segovia gave his first public performance in Granada, Spain. He was just 16 years old at the time, but his performance was well-received, and he soon began to attract attention as a rising star in the world of classical guitar. In 1912, he made his debut in Madrid, performing a program of works by Bach, Sor, and Tárrega. Over the next few years, Segovia continued to perform throughout Spain and began to gain international recognition. In 1916, he made his first trip to South America, where he performed in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. He was a sensation, and his performances were widely praised by critics and audiences alike. In 1920, Segovia made his debut in Paris, performing at the Salle Pleyel. The concert was a huge success, and Segovia was hailed as a virtuoso of the guitar. He continued to perform in Europe, and in 1924, he made his debut in the United States, performing at the Town Hall in New York City. Segovia's performances were characterized by his technical mastery of the guitar and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music. He was known for his expressive playing and his ability to convey the nuances of the music to his audience. He was also a pioneer in the field of classical guitar, and he worked tirelessly to promote the instrument and to expand its repertoire. In addition to his performances, Segovia was also a prolific recording artist. He made his first recordings in 1927, and over the course of his career, he recorded hundreds of works by composers such as Bach, Sor, Tárrega, and Albéniz. His recordings were widely praised for their technical excellence and their musical sensitivity. Segovia's career spanned more than six decades, and he continued to perform and record well into his 80s. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Légion d'honneur from the French government, the Order of Merit from the British government, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the United States government. Segovia was also a respected teacher, and he taught many of the leading guitarists of the 20th century, including John Williams, Julian Bream, and Christopher Parkening. He was known for his rigorous teaching methods and his insistence on technical excellence. Andrés Segovia died on June 2, 1987, at the age of 94. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and a pioneer in the field of classical guitar. His recordings and performances continue to inspire and influence guitarists around the world, and his contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

More....