Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

January 7, 1907 in San Sebastián, Spain

Death

:

March 31, 1993 in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Nicanor Zabaleta was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 7, 1907, in San Sebastian, Spain. He was a virtuoso harpist who was known for his exceptional technique and musicality. Zabaleta's parents were both musicians, and they recognized his talent at a young age. He began playing the harp when he was just five years old, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing professionally. Zabaleta's early career was marked by a series of successes. He won several competitions, including the prestigious International Harp Competition in Vienna in 1936. He also performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. Zabaleta quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest harpists of his generation. One of the highlights of Zabaleta's career was his performance of Manuel de Falla's "Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello" with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1951. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Zabaleta as a major figure in the classical music world. He went on to perform the concerto with many other orchestras throughout his career. Zabaleta was also known for his collaborations with other musicians. He frequently performed with the Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia, and the two musicians recorded several albums together. Zabaleta also worked with the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, who wrote several pieces specifically for him. In addition to his performances, Zabaleta was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Geneva Conservatory in Switzerland for many years, and he also gave masterclasses around the world. Many of his students went on to have successful careers as harpists. Zabaleta received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1962, he was awarded the Gold Medal of Fine Arts by the Spanish government. He was also made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 1975. In 1983, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, one of Spain's highest honors. Zabaleta continued to perform and teach until his death on March 31, 1993, in Geneva, Switzerland. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest harpists of the 20th century. His recordings and performances continue to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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