Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

1949 in Matanzas, Cuba

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Odaline de la Martinez is a Cuban-American conductor, composer, and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 2, 1949, in Matanzas, Cuba, Martinez grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a pianist, and her mother was a singer. Martinez began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. Martinez's family moved to the United States when she was 10 years old, settling in New York City. She continued her music education at the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan and later attended the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She went on to earn a Master of Music degree in conducting from the Juilliard School. Martinez began her career as a composer, writing works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. Her compositions have been performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. In 1978, she founded the ensemble Continuum, which specializes in contemporary music and has commissioned and premiered works by many composers, including John Cage, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. Martinez's conducting career began in the early 1980s, when she was invited to conduct the Women's Philharmonic in San Francisco. She went on to conduct many other orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1984, she became the first woman to conduct a concert at the Proms, the famous summer music festival in London. Martinez has also been a champion of music by women composers. In 1985, she founded the Women's Philharmonic Advocacy, an organization dedicated to promoting the music of women composers and advocating for gender equity in classical music. She has conducted many works by women composers, including Amy Beach, Florence Price, and Ruth Crawford Seeger. Martinez has received many awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1995, she was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the government of Brazil for her work promoting Brazilian music. In 2000, she was awarded the Gold Baton by the Women's Philharmonic for her leadership and advocacy. In 2018, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Alliance for Women in Music. Martinez continues to be an active conductor, composer, and educator. She has taught at many institutions, including the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Royal College of Music in London. She has also served as a guest conductor and lecturer at many universities and music festivals around the world. In conclusion, Odaline de la Martinez is a pioneering figure in classical music, known for her work as a conductor, composer, and advocate for women composers. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and she continues to inspire and mentor young musicians around the world.

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