Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Mexico

Birth

:

1948 in Mexico City, Mexico

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Symphony

 

Federico Ibarra is a Mexican composer who was born on March 4, 1946, in Mexico City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Ibarra began his musical studies at a young age, learning to play the piano and the violin. He later studied composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, where he was mentored by renowned Mexican composer Carlos Chávez. Ibarra's early works were heavily influenced by the music of his mentor, Chávez, as well as by the European avant-garde movement. His compositions from this period were characterized by their use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. However, as Ibarra continued to develop as a composer, his style began to evolve, incorporating elements of Mexican folk music and other Latin American musical traditions. One of Ibarra's most notable works from this period is his "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra," which was composed in 1972. The piece is a virtuosic showcase for the solo violinist, with the orchestra providing a lush and colorful backdrop. The concerto has been performed by numerous soloists and orchestras around the world and is considered one of Ibarra's most important works. In the 1980s, Ibarra's music began to incorporate more explicitly Mexican themes and motifs. He became interested in the music of the indigenous peoples of Mexico and began to incorporate their rhythms and melodies into his compositions. This period of Ibarra's career is characterized by works such as "Tres Danzas Mexicanas" and "Cantos y Revueltas," which draw heavily on Mexican folk music. Ibarra's interest in indigenous Mexican music reached its peak in the 1990s, when he composed his "Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra." The piece is a fusion of traditional Mexican rhythms and contemporary classical music, with the marimba serving as the solo instrument. The concerto has been performed by marimba virtuosos around the world and is considered one of Ibarra's most popular works. In addition to his work as a composer, Ibarra has also been active as an educator and administrator. He has taught composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City and has served as the director of the Mexican Cultural Institute in New York City. He has also been a member of numerous cultural organizations, including the Mexican Academy of Arts and the National Council for Culture and the Arts. Throughout his career, Ibarra has been recognized for his contributions to Mexican music and culture. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in the Fine Arts category in 2009. His music continues to be performed and celebrated around the world, and he remains one of the most important composers in Mexico today.

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