Role

:

Composer Conductor

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Mauricio Sotelo is a Spanish composer who was born on November 1, 1961, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Sotelo began his musical studies at a young age, learning to play the piano and the guitar. He later studied composition at the Madrid Royal Conservatory of Music, where he was taught by Francisco Guerrero and Luis de Pablo. Sotelo's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 20th century, particularly the works of Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. However, he soon developed his own unique style, which combined elements of contemporary music with traditional Spanish music. His compositions often feature complex rhythms, intricate harmonies, and unconventional instrumentation. One of Sotelo's most notable works is his opera "El Público," which is based on the play of the same name by Federico García Lorca. The opera premiered in 2015 at the Teatro Real in Madrid and was widely praised for its innovative use of music and theater. The opera tells the story of a group of actors who are rehearsing a play based on Lorca's work, but as they delve deeper into the story, they begin to lose touch with reality. Another notable work by Sotelo is his "De Amor y Muerte," which is a cycle of songs based on the poetry of Miguel Hernández. The cycle was commissioned by the Spanish National Orchestra and premiered in 2006. The songs are deeply emotional and explore themes of love, death, and the human condition. Sotelo has also composed several works for chamber ensembles, including his "Del Mismo Color de la Voz," which is a piece for string quartet and soprano. The piece was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet and premiered in 2003. The work is based on the poetry of Juan de la Cruz and explores the relationship between music and language. In addition to his work as a composer, Sotelo is also a professor of composition at the Geneva Conservatory of Music. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Music Prize in 2012 and the Spanish National Prize for Music in 2017. Overall, Mauricio Sotelo is a highly respected composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His works are known for their innovative use of music and theater, as well as their exploration of traditional Spanish music. Sotelo's music is deeply emotional and often explores themes of love, death, and the human condition.

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