Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Celso Garrido-Lecca is a renowned Peruvian composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on November 6, 1926, in Piura, Peru, Garrido-Lecca grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music at an early age. He began studying music at the National Conservatory of Music in Lima, where he learned to play the violin, piano, and guitar. Garrido-Lecca's interest in composition began when he was a teenager. He was fascinated by the works of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, and he began to experiment with writing his own music. He was particularly drawn to the music of his native Peru, and he incorporated elements of Peruvian folk music into his compositions. In 1952, Garrido-Lecca received a scholarship to study composition at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. He studied under the renowned composer Goffredo Petrassi, who had a significant influence on his musical style. While in Rome, Garrido-Lecca also studied the works of other Italian composers, such as Luigi Dallapiccola and Bruno Maderna. After completing his studies in Rome, Garrido-Lecca returned to Peru, where he became a professor of composition at the National Conservatory of Music in Lima. He also founded the Grupo de Compositores de Música Contemporánea del Perú (Group of Contemporary Music Composers of Peru), which aimed to promote contemporary music in Peru and provide a platform for young composers to showcase their work. Garrido-Lecca's compositions are characterized by their use of Peruvian folk music, as well as their incorporation of modernist techniques. His works often feature complex rhythms and harmonies, and he is known for his use of unconventional instruments, such as the quena (a traditional Andean flute) and the cajón (a percussion instrument). One of Garrido-Lecca's most famous works is his "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra," which was written in 1965. The concerto is a fusion of classical and Peruvian folk music, and it features a virtuosic guitar solo that showcases the instrument's versatility. The piece has been performed by numerous guitarists around the world and has become a staple of the classical guitar repertoire. Another notable work by Garrido-Lecca is his "Cantata para América Mágica" (Cantata for Magical America), which was written in 1970. The cantata is a tribute to the indigenous peoples of the Americas and features texts by the Peruvian poet César Calvo. The piece is scored for choir, soloists, and orchestra and incorporates elements of Andean folk music, as well as African and Afro-Peruvian rhythms. Garrido-Lecca's other works include numerous chamber music pieces, such as his "String Quartet No. 2" and "Sonata for Violin and Piano," as well as orchestral works, such as his "Sinfonía Andina" (Andean Symphony) and "Sinfonía No. 2." He has also written music for film and theater, including the score for the Peruvian film "El Enemigo" (The Enemy). Throughout his career, Garrido-Lecca has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2002, he was awarded the National Prize for Culture in Peru, and in 2016, he was awarded the Order of the Sun, the highest honor given by the Peruvian government. His music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he is considered one of the most important composers in Latin America.

More....