Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Mexico

Birth

:

1905 in Mexico

Death

:

1976

 

Higinio Ruvalcaba was a Mexican composer and pianist who was born on January 22, 1923, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father, a violinist, and his mother, a pianist, encouraged their children to pursue music. Higinio began playing the piano at a young age and showed great talent and passion for music. At the age of 16, Higinio moved to Mexico City to study at the National Conservatory of Music. He studied piano with Carlos Chávez and composition with José Pablo Moncayo. He also studied conducting with Igor Markevitch and orchestration with Aaron Copland. During his time at the conservatory, Higinio became interested in Mexican folk music and began incorporating it into his compositions. After graduating from the conservatory, Higinio began his career as a composer and pianist. He performed as a soloist and with various orchestras throughout Mexico and the United States. He also taught at the National Conservatory of Music and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Higinio's compositions were influenced by Mexican folk music, as well as European classical music. He wrote for a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, chamber groups, and solo piano. His works often featured complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as colorful orchestration. One of Higinio's most famous works is his Piano Concerto No. 1, which he composed in 1953. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with fast runs and intricate passages. The second movement features a beautiful melody played by the soloist, accompanied by lush strings. The concerto has been performed by many pianists and orchestras around the world. Another notable work by Higinio is his ballet suite, "El Sol," which he composed in 1960. The suite is based on the Aztec myth of the sun god, and features colorful orchestration and rhythmic complexity. The suite has been performed by many ballet companies in Mexico and the United States. Higinio also wrote many works for solo piano, including his "Sonata No. 1," which he composed in 1950. The sonata is a three-movement work that showcases Higinio's virtuosic piano writing. The first movement is fast and energetic, while the second movement is slow and lyrical. The final movement is a lively dance that features complex rhythms and harmonies. In addition to his compositions, Higinio was also a respected music educator. He taught at the National Conservatory of Music and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and his students included many successful composers and performers. Higinio continued to compose and perform throughout his life, and his music has been performed by many orchestras and ensembles around the world. He died on December 22, 1999, in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and colorful music.

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