Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

1968 in Algeciras, Spain

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

José María Sánchez-Verdú is a contemporary Spanish composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 28, 1968, in Algeciras, Spain, Sánchez-Verdú grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Sánchez-Verdú showed a keen interest in music, and he began studying the piano and the guitar at the age of six. Sánchez-Verdú's musical education began at the Conservatory of Music in Cádiz, where he studied composition, harmony, and counterpoint. He later continued his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, where he studied with Francisco Guerrero and Luis de Pablo. In 1993, he received a scholarship to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany, where he studied with Mathias Spahlinger and Brian Ferneyhough. Sánchez-Verdú's early works were heavily influenced by the music of his Spanish heritage, particularly the flamenco music of Andalusia. His compositions often featured complex rhythms and intricate melodic lines, and he was known for his use of unconventional instruments, such as the cajón and the castanets. One of Sánchez-Verdú's early works, "De la noche al día" (From Night to Day), was premiered in 1995 at the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada. The piece was well-received, and it helped to establish Sánchez-Verdú as a rising star in the world of contemporary classical music. In the years that followed, Sánchez-Verdú continued to compose a wide range of works, including chamber music, orchestral works, and operas. His compositions often explored themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage, and he was known for his use of unconventional techniques, such as microtonality and extended techniques. One of Sánchez-Verdú's most notable works is his opera "El viaje a Simorgh" (The Journey to Simorgh), which was premiered in 2008 at the Teatro Real in Madrid. The opera is based on a Persian poem by Attar of Nishapur, and it tells the story of a group of birds who embark on a journey to find the mythical Simorgh. The opera features a complex score that incorporates elements of Persian music, and it has been praised for its innovative use of technology and multimedia. Another notable work by Sánchez-Verdú is his "Concierto de Cámara" (Chamber Concerto), which was premiered in 2010 at the Donaueschingen Festival in Germany. The piece is scored for a chamber ensemble of 15 players, and it features a complex, multi-layered texture that explores the relationships between the different instruments. Sánchez-Verdú's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Sinfonietta, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Music Prize of Spain in 2011. In addition to his work as a composer, Sánchez-Verdú is also a respected music educator. He has taught at a number of institutions, including the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg and the University of California, San Diego. Overall, José María Sánchez-Verdú is a highly respected composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His works are known for their innovative use of technology and multimedia, as well as their exploration of themes related to identity, memory, and cultural heritage.

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