Role

:

Conductor Performer

Death

:

February 21, 2011

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

Odón Alonso was a Spanish conductor and composer who was born on October 7, 1920, in the city of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. From a young age, Alonso showed a great interest in music and began studying the piano and violin. He later went on to study composition and conducting at the Madrid Royal Conservatory. Alonso's career as a conductor began in 1947 when he was appointed as the conductor of the Oviedo Symphony Orchestra. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented conductor and was soon invited to conduct other orchestras throughout Spain. In 1951, he was appointed as the conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra, a position he held for 25 years. During his tenure with the Spanish National Orchestra, Alonso conducted many notable performances, including the Spanish premiere of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" and the world premiere of Joaquín Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." He also conducted the orchestra on several international tours, including performances in the United States, Japan, and Europe. In addition to his work with the Spanish National Orchestra, Alonso was also a prolific composer. He wrote several orchestral works, including "Sinfonía de la Ciudad," which was commissioned by the city of Madrid to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War. He also wrote several operas, including "La Celestina," which was based on the famous Spanish novel of the same name. Alonso's contributions to classical music were recognized with several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1964, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Fine Arts by the Spanish government. He was also awarded the Cross of Alfonso X the Wise, one of Spain's highest civilian honors, in 1970. In 1983, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, one of Spain's most prestigious cultural awards. Despite his many accomplishments, Alonso's career was not without controversy. In 1977, he was dismissed from his position as the conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra after he publicly criticized the government's handling of the Basque separatist movement. He was later reinstated after a public outcry, but the incident left a lasting impact on his career. Odón Alonso passed away on September 21, 1994, at the age of 73. He left behind a legacy as one of Spain's most important conductors and composers, and his contributions to classical music continue to be celebrated today.

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