Role

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Composer

Genre

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Chamber

 

Horacio Salinas is a Chilean composer, guitarist, and arranger who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on June 15, 1951, in Santiago, Chile, Salinas grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Luis Advis, was a composer and musicologist, and his mother, Carmen Luisa Letelier, was a pianist. Salinas began playing the guitar at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Salinas studied music at the University of Chile, where he received a degree in composition. He also studied guitar with the renowned Chilean guitarist, Oscar Ohlsen. During his time at the university, Salinas became involved in the Nueva Canción Chilena movement, which was a cultural and political movement that emerged in Chile in the 1960s and 1970s. The movement was characterized by its use of traditional Latin American music and its focus on social and political issues. Salinas became a member of the group Inti-Illimani in 1970. Inti-Illimani was a Chilean folk music group that was formed in 1967. The group was known for its use of traditional Latin American instruments, such as the charango, quena, and zampona. Salinas played guitar and contributed to the group's arrangements and compositions. The group's music was heavily influenced by the Nueva Canción Chilena movement, and they became known for their political activism. In 1973, a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government of Chile. The coup had a profound impact on Salinas and his fellow musicians. Inti-Illimani was forced into exile, and they spent the next 15 years living and performing in Europe. During this time, Salinas continued to compose and arrange music for the group. He also collaborated with other musicians and composers, including the Italian composer Ennio Morricone. In 1988, Inti-Illimani returned to Chile after the fall of the Pinochet regime. Salinas continued to work with the group, but he also began to focus on his own compositions. He has composed music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and solo instruments. His music is characterized by its use of traditional Latin American rhythms and melodies, as well as its incorporation of contemporary classical techniques. One of Salinas's most well-known works is his guitar concerto, "Concierto para Guitarra y Orquesta de Cuerdas." The concerto was commissioned by the Chilean government in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. The concerto is scored for guitar and string orchestra and is divided into three movements. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic dance, while the second movement is a slow and contemplative adagio. The third movement is a fast and energetic finale that showcases the virtuosity of the soloist. Salinas has also composed music for film and television. He has worked with the Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán on several documentaries, including "La Batalla de Chile" and "El Caso Pinochet." He has also composed music for the television series "Los Títeres" and "La Frontera." In addition to his work as a composer, Salinas is also a respected educator. He has taught at the University of Chile and the Catholic University of Chile. He has also given masterclasses and workshops in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Salinas's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

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