Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1915

Death

:

1984

 

Evencio Castellanos was a Venezuelan composer and conductor who was born on March 7, 1915, in Cúa, Miranda State, Venezuela. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Luis Castellanos, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Carmen Teresa, was a pianist. Evencio Castellanos began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin with his parents. Castellanos continued his musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Caracas, where he studied composition with Vicente Emilio Sojo and conducting with Gonzalo Castellanos y Vallenilla. He also studied piano with Moisés Moleiro and harmony with Juan Bautista Plaza. Castellanos was a talented student and won several awards for his compositions while at the conservatory. After completing his studies, Castellanos began his career as a conductor, leading several orchestras in Venezuela, including the Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Caracas. He also served as the director of the National Conservatory of Music in Caracas from 1959 to 1969. Castellanos was a prolific composer, writing music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and music for the theater. His music was influenced by the folk music of Venezuela, and he often incorporated traditional Venezuelan rhythms and melodies into his compositions. One of Castellanos' most famous works is his Suite Avileña, which was composed in 1942. The suite is based on traditional music from the town of Avila in Venezuela and is scored for orchestra. The suite consists of four movements: "El Totumo de Guarenas," "El Gavilán," "El Pájaro Guarandol," and "El Diablo Suelto." The suite has become a staple of the Venezuelan orchestral repertoire and is often performed by orchestras around the world. Another notable work by Castellanos is his Santa Cruz de Pacairigua, which was composed in 1954. The work is a symphonic poem based on the folk music of the town of Pacairigua in Venezuela. The piece is scored for orchestra and features a variety of traditional Venezuelan rhythms and melodies. The work has become one of Castellanos' most popular compositions and is often performed by orchestras in Venezuela and around the world. Castellanos also wrote several works for the theater, including the ballet El Retablo de Maese Pedro, which was composed in 1955. The ballet is based on a story from Don Quixote and is scored for chamber orchestra. The work has become one of Castellanos' most famous compositions and is often performed by ballet companies around the world. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Castellanos was also a teacher. He taught composition and conducting at the National Conservatory of Music in Caracas and was a mentor to many young Venezuelan composers. Castellanos received many awards and honors during his lifetime, including the National Prize for Music in Venezuela in 1954 and the Order of Andrés Bello in 1975. He died on April 2, 1984, in Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 69. Evencio Castellanos was a talented composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the music of Venezuela. His music continues to be performed and celebrated around the world, and his legacy as a composer and teacher lives on.

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