Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1908

Death

:

1979

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Vicente Asencio was a Spanish composer and guitarist who was born on April 4, 1908, in Valencia, Spain. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. As a child, he showed a great interest in music and began playing the guitar at a young age. He received his first guitar lessons from his father and later studied with the renowned guitarist and composer Francisco Tárrega. Asencio's musical career began in the 1920s when he started performing as a guitarist in various concerts and recitals. He also began composing music for the guitar, and his works soon gained recognition for their technical and musical complexity. In 1931, he won the first prize in the National Guitar Competition in Madrid, which helped establish his reputation as a composer and performer. Asencio's music is characterized by its Spanish flavor and its use of traditional Spanish rhythms and melodies. He was heavily influenced by the music of his native Valencia, and many of his works are inspired by the folk music of the region. His compositions are also known for their virtuosic guitar writing, which often requires advanced techniques such as tremolo and rasgueado. One of Asencio's most famous works is his Suite Valenciana, which was composed in 1940. The suite consists of four movements, each of which is based on a traditional Valencian dance. The first movement, "Albaes," is a lively dance in 6/8 time that features intricate guitar work and a catchy melody. The second movement, "Fandango," is a slower dance in 3/4 time that showcases the guitar's ability to create a rich, sonorous sound. The third movement, "Danza," is a fast-paced dance in 2/4 time that features rapid-fire guitar work and a driving rhythm. The final movement, "Pasodoble," is a festive dance in 2/4 time that is often played at bullfights and other celebrations. Another notable work by Asencio is his Collectici Intim, which was composed in 1953. The piece is a collection of five short pieces for solo guitar, each of which is based on a different Spanish folk song. The first piece, "El testament d'Amelia," is a hauntingly beautiful melody that is often played at funerals. The second piece, "La filla del marxant," is a lively dance that features intricate guitar work and a catchy melody. The third piece, "La nit de Nadal," is a gentle lullaby that is often played during the Christmas season. The fourth piece, "El ball de la civada," is a fast-paced dance that features rapid-fire guitar work and a driving rhythm. The final piece, "Cançó de bressol," is a gentle lullaby that is often played to soothe children to sleep. Asencio's other works for guitar include the Sonata No. 1, Sonata No. 2, and Sonata No. 3, as well as numerous solo pieces and transcriptions of traditional Spanish music. His music has been performed and recorded by many of the world's leading guitarists, including Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream, and John Williams. In addition to his work as a composer and guitarist, Asencio was also a respected music educator. He taught guitar at the Valencia Conservatory and was known for his innovative teaching methods and his dedication to his students. Many of his students went on to become successful guitarists and composers in their own right. Vicente Asencio passed away on April 9, 1979, in Valencia, Spain. He left behind a legacy of beautiful and innovative music that continues to inspire and delight guitarists and music lovers around the world.

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