Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Mexico

Birth

:

August 21, 1916 in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico

Death

:

January 22, 2005 in Mexico City, Mexico

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Consuelo Velázquez was a Mexican composer and pianist who was born on August 21, 1916, in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father, Fausto Velázquez, was a composer and her mother, Teresa Torres, was a singer. Consuelo began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. In 1936, Consuelo moved to Mexico City to study music at the National Conservatory of Music. She studied piano with José Pierson and composition with Candelario Huízar. While at the conservatory, she began composing her own music and quickly gained recognition for her talent. In 1940, she won first prize in a national competition for her composition "Besos Robados" (Stolen Kisses). Consuelo's music was influenced by the popular music of Mexico and Latin America. She wrote in a variety of styles, including bolero, ranchera, and danzón. Her most famous composition is "Bésame Mucho" (Kiss Me Much), which she wrote in 1940 when she was just 24 years old. The song has been recorded by hundreds of artists in many languages and is considered a classic of Latin American music. In addition to "Bésame Mucho," Consuelo wrote many other popular songs, including "Amar y Vivir" (To Love and Live), "Cachito" (Little Kiss), and "Verdad Amarga" (Bitter Truth). Her music was often performed by famous singers such as Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, and Agustín Lara. Consuelo was also a talented pianist and often performed her own music in concerts. She was known for her expressive playing and her ability to convey the emotions of her music. She performed in Mexico and other countries, including the United States and Cuba. Consuelo continued to compose music throughout her life, but she never achieved the same level of success as she did with "Bésame Mucho." She died on January 22, 2005, in Mexico City at the age of 88. Consuelo Velázquez was a pioneering composer in the world of Latin American music. Her music combined the traditional sounds of Mexico with modern influences, creating a unique and timeless style. Her most famous composition, "Bésame Mucho," has become a classic of Latin American music and is still beloved by audiences around the world.

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