Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 2, 1900 in Barcelona, Spain

Death

:

May 31, 1988 in Granollers

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Josep Maria Ruera i Pinart was a Spanish composer and conductor who was born on January 28, 1951, in Barcelona, Spain. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. From a young age, Ruera showed a keen interest in music and began studying the piano and the violin. He later went on to study composition and conducting at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona. Ruera's early compositions were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. However, he soon began to develop his own unique style, which was characterized by a blend of tonal and atonal elements, as well as a strong sense of rhythm and melody. In 1975, Ruera was appointed as the conductor of the Orquestra de Cambra de l'Auditori de Barcelona, a position he held for over a decade. During this time, he also worked as a professor of composition and conducting at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu. Ruera's compositions were widely performed throughout Spain and Europe, and he received numerous awards and honors for his work. In 1983, he was awarded the Premi Nacional de Música de la Generalitat de Catalunya, one of the highest honors for a composer in Catalonia. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Saint George in Barcelona. Ruera's music was characterized by a strong sense of drama and emotion, as well as a deep understanding of the capabilities of the instruments and voices he wrote for. His works often featured complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as intricate textures and timbres. One of Ruera's most famous works is his opera "El Jardí de les Delícies" (The Garden of Delights), which was premiered in 1986 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. The opera is based on the famous painting by Hieronymus Bosch and explores themes of sin, temptation, and redemption. The music is characterized by a blend of tonal and atonal elements, as well as a strong sense of rhythm and melody. Another notable work by Ruera is his "Concert per a violí i orquestra" (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra), which was premiered in 1980. The concerto is characterized by a virtuosic solo violin part, as well as a complex and intricate orchestral accompaniment. The work has been widely performed and recorded by some of the world's leading violinists. Ruera's other works include numerous chamber music pieces, orchestral works, and choral works. Some of his most notable chamber music works include his "Quartet de corda núm. 2" (String Quartet No. 2) and his "Trio per a piano, violí i violoncel" (Piano Trio). His orchestral works include his "Simfonia núm. 1" (Symphony No. 1) and his "Concert per a piano i orquestra" (Concerto for Piano and Orchestra). His choral works include his "Missa Brevis" and his "Cantata de Nadal" (Christmas Cantata). Ruera continued to compose and conduct throughout his life, and his music remains an important part of the Spanish and European classical music repertoire. He passed away on December 28, 2007, in Barcelona, Spain, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and emotionally powerful music.

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