Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 16, 1917 in Panama City, Panama

Death

:

December, 2008 in Dayton, OH

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Roque Cordero was a Panamanian composer who was born on June 16, 1917, in Panama City. He was the son of a Spanish father and a Panamanian mother. Cordero's father was a musician who played the guitar and the mandolin, and he introduced his son to music at a young age. Cordero began playing the piano when he was six years old, and he showed a natural talent for music. Cordero's family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical education there. He studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a student of Vincent Jones. Cordero also studied with Aaron Copland, who was a major influence on his music. Cordero returned to Panama in 1941, and he began to establish himself as a composer. He was one of the founders of the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, and he served as its conductor from 1941 to 1948. Cordero also taught music at the National Conservatory of Music in Panama City. Cordero's music was influenced by a variety of styles, including European classical music, Latin American folk music, and jazz. He was particularly interested in the music of his native Panama, and he incorporated elements of Panamanian folk music into his compositions. One of Cordero's most famous works is his Symphony No. 2, which he composed in 1953. The symphony is in three movements, and it is scored for a large orchestra. The first movement is slow and contemplative, while the second movement is fast and rhythmic. The third movement is a lively dance, and it features a prominent role for the percussion section. Cordero's other notable works include his Piano Concerto, which he composed in 1956. The concerto is in three movements, and it features a virtuosic solo part for the piano. Cordero also composed a number of chamber music works, including his String Quartet No. 1, which he wrote in 1950. Cordero was also a prolific composer of vocal music. He wrote a number of choral works, including his Cantata para la Paz (Cantata for Peace), which he composed in 1955. The cantata is a setting of texts by the Panamanian poet Ricardo Miró, and it features a large chorus and orchestra. Cordero's music was well-received both in Panama and abroad. He won numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the National Prize for Culture in Panama in 1970. Cordero was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Cordero continued to compose music until his death in 2008. He was 91 years old at the time of his death, and he had been one of the most important composers in Panama's history. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and it remains an important part of the classical music repertoire.

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