Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

July 13, 1929 in Falces, Spain

Death

:

November 1, 2020 in Falces, Spain

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Pedro Iturralde was a Spanish composer and saxophonist who was born on July 13, 1929, in Falces, Navarra, Spain. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father taught him to play the clarinet and saxophone, and he began performing in local bands at a young age. Iturralde studied at the Madrid Conservatory and later at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied with the renowned saxophonist Marcel Mule. He also studied with the composer and conductor Nadia Boulanger, who had a significant influence on his musical style. Iturralde's early compositions were influenced by jazz and traditional Spanish music. He was particularly interested in the flamenco music of Andalusia and incorporated its rhythms and melodies into his compositions. His first major work was the Suite Hellenique for saxophone and piano, which was premiered in Paris in 1956. In the 1960s, Iturralde became interested in the music of other cultures and began incorporating elements of Indian, African, and Middle Eastern music into his compositions. He also began experimenting with different forms, such as the fugue and the sonata. One of Iturralde's most famous works is the Jazz Suite for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra, which was premiered in 1967. The suite consists of four movements, each of which is based on a different jazz style. The first movement is a blues, the second is a bossa nova, the third is a ballad, and the fourth is a fast swing. The suite has become a staple of the saxophone quartet repertoire and has been performed by ensembles around the world. Iturralde also composed several works for solo saxophone, including the Pequeña Czarda and the Czardas de Monti. These pieces are virtuosic showcases for the saxophone and have become popular with saxophonists around the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Iturralde was also a respected saxophonist. He performed with many jazz and classical ensembles throughout his career and recorded several albums as a soloist. He was known for his virtuosic technique and his ability to blend different musical styles. Iturralde continued to compose and perform into his later years. He was awarded the Gold Medal for Fine Arts by the Spanish government in 2006 in recognition of his contributions to music. He died on July 1, 2020, at the age of 90. Pedro Iturralde was a pioneering composer and saxophonist who blended jazz, classical, and traditional Spanish music into a unique and innovative style. His works continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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