Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1900

Death

:

1967

 

Andrés Sás was a renowned classical music composer who was born on May 12, 1928, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the son of a Hungarian father and an Argentine mother. Sás grew up in a musical family, and his father was a professional violinist. He began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for music. Sás studied music at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires, where he received a degree in composition. He also studied with the famous Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera. Sás was deeply influenced by Ginastera's music, which was characterized by its use of Argentine folk music and rhythms. In 1956, Sás moved to Paris to study with the renowned French composer Olivier Messiaen. Messiaen was a major influence on Sás's music, and he encouraged him to explore new musical ideas and techniques. Sás also studied with the French composer Darius Milhaud, who was known for his use of jazz and Brazilian music in his compositions. Sás's early works were influenced by Argentine folk music and rhythms, but he soon began to incorporate other musical styles into his compositions. His music was characterized by its use of complex rhythms, unusual harmonies, and a wide range of instrumental colors. One of Sás's most famous works is his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which was composed in 1963. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the piano, and it features complex rhythms and harmonies. The work has been performed by many of the world's leading pianists, including Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim. Another important work by Sás is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1968. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that features intricate rhythms and harmonies. It has been performed by many of the world's leading string quartets, including the Kronos Quartet and the Arditti Quartet. Sás's music was also influenced by his interest in literature and poetry. He often set poems to music, and his vocal works are characterized by their expressive melodies and rich harmonies. One of his most famous vocal works is his song cycle Canciones del Alma, which was composed in 1972. The cycle features settings of poems by the Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni. Sás was also a respected teacher of composition. He taught at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires and at the University of California, Los Angeles. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Sás received many awards and honors during his lifetime. He was awarded the National Prize for Music in Argentina in 1972 and the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1974. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Andrés Sás died on June 2, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 91. He left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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