Role

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Composer

Birth

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June 18, 1880

Death

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September, 1961

Genre

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Keyboard

 

José Pomar was a Spanish composer and conductor who was born on January 1, 1878, in the city of Valencia. He was the son of a musician and began his musical education at a young age. He studied at the Valencia Conservatory and later at the Madrid Royal Conservatory, where he was a student of the renowned composer and conductor, Tomás Bretón. Pomar's early compositions were influenced by the Spanish folk music and the works of his contemporaries, such as Manuel de Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo. He was also interested in the music of other cultures, particularly the music of the Middle East and North Africa. This interest led him to travel extensively throughout these regions, where he studied the local music and incorporated it into his compositions. In 1903, Pomar was appointed as the conductor of the Municipal Band of Valencia, a position he held for over 30 years. During this time, he transformed the band into one of the finest in Spain, and his arrangements of Spanish folk music became very popular. He also composed many works for the band, including marches, pasodobles, and zarzuela overtures. Pomar's most famous work is his ballet, El amor brujo (Love, the Magician), which he composed in 1915. The ballet tells the story of a young woman who is haunted by the ghost of her former lover. The music is a fusion of Spanish folk music and classical music, and it features a prominent role for the cantaora (flamenco singer). The ballet was an immediate success and has since become one of the most popular works in the Spanish classical music repertoire. Another notable work by Pomar is his Suite valenciana, which he composed in 1926. The suite is a collection of five pieces that are based on traditional Valencian folk music. The suite is scored for orchestra and features a prominent role for the guitar, which is played in the traditional Valencian style. Pomar was also a prolific composer of zarzuelas, which are a type of Spanish operetta. His most famous zarzuela is La parranda (The Party), which he composed in 1928. The zarzuela tells the story of a group of friends who gather for a party and end up getting into all sorts of mischief. The music is lively and features many traditional Spanish dance rhythms. In addition to his work as a composer, Pomar was also a respected conductor. He conducted many of the leading orchestras in Spain, including the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra. He was also a professor of composition at the Madrid Royal Conservatory, where he taught many of the leading Spanish composers of the next generation. Pomar died on December 8, 1966, in Valencia, at the age of 88. He left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed today. His music is characterized by its fusion of Spanish folk music and classical music, and his works are known for their lively rhythms and colorful orchestration. He is considered to be one of the most important Spanish composers of the 20th century, and his contributions to the Spanish classical music repertoire are significant.

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