Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Antonio Capdevila was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 1, 1939, in Barcelona, Spain. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Capdevila showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the violin and the viola, which became his primary instrument. Capdevila's musical talent was recognized early on, and he was accepted into the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona at the age of 14. He studied under the guidance of renowned musicians such as Joan Massià, Joan Pich Santasusana, and Joan Massià i Ferrer. Capdevila's dedication and hard work paid off, and he graduated with honors in 1958. After completing his studies, Capdevila began his professional career as a violist in the Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional talent and was soon invited to perform with other orchestras in Spain and Europe. In 1962, he joined the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC), where he remained for over 30 years. Capdevila's career as a soloist began in the 1960s, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest violists of his generation. He performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with renowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, and Claudio Abbado. Capdevila's performances were characterized by his exceptional technique, musicality, and sensitivity. He was particularly admired for his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. His repertoire included works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bartók. Capdevila's career was marked by numerous highlights and achievements. In 1970, he won the prestigious Premi Nacional de Música, which is awarded by the Catalan government to outstanding musicians. He also received the Creu de Sant Jordi, one of the highest honors awarded by the Catalan government, in recognition of his contribution to the arts. One of Capdevila's most memorable performances was his rendition of the Viola Concerto by William Walton with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1972. The performance was widely acclaimed, and Capdevila was praised for his virtuosity and musicality. He also performed the concerto with other leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. Capdevila was also a passionate advocate for contemporary music and premiered numerous works by Catalan composers. He was particularly close to the composer Xavier Montsalvatge, and they collaborated on several projects. Capdevila also worked with other contemporary composers such as Joan Guinjoan and Cristóbal Halffter. Capdevila retired from the OBC in 1994 but continued to perform as a soloist and chamber musician. He also devoted himself to teaching and was a professor at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu for many years. He was known for his generosity and dedication to his students, and many of them went on to have successful careers in music. Capdevila's contribution to the world of classical music was recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2004, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Catalan government in recognition of his outstanding career.

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