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Composer  

 

Kiko Argüello is a Spanish composer, painter, and founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, a Catholic movement that seeks to deepen the faith of its members through catechesis, liturgy, and community life. Born in León, Spain, in 1939, Argüello grew up in a family of artists and musicians. His father was a painter, and his mother played the piano and sang in the church choir. From an early age, Argüello showed a talent for music, and he began studying the piano and the violin when he was six years old. As a teenager, Argüello became interested in jazz and rock music, and he formed a band with his friends. However, he also felt a strong spiritual calling, and he began attending Mass and reading the Bible. In 1959, he entered the seminary to become a priest, but he left after a year because he felt that he was not ready for the vocation. After leaving the seminary, Argüello continued to pursue his musical career. He played in various bands and worked as a composer and arranger for television and film. In the 1960s, he became involved in the avant-garde art scene in Madrid, and he began experimenting with abstract painting and performance art. In 1964, Argüello had a profound religious experience that changed the course of his life. While attending a retreat in the mountains, he had a vision of Christ that led him to embrace a more traditional form of Catholicism. He began attending Mass daily and praying the rosary, and he felt a strong desire to share his faith with others. In 1968, Argüello met Carmen Hernández, a young woman who shared his passion for evangelization. Together, they began to develop a new form of catechesis that emphasized the importance of community life and the celebration of the Eucharist. They called this approach the Neocatechumenal Way, and they began to share it with others in Madrid and other parts of Spain. As the Neocatechumenal Way grew, Argüello continued to compose music for the movement's liturgies and celebrations. His music drew on a variety of influences, including traditional Spanish folk music, Gregorian chant, and contemporary pop and rock. His compositions were characterized by their simplicity and accessibility, and they were designed to be sung by ordinary people, rather than professional musicians. One of Argüello's most famous compositions is the "Way of the Cross," a series of 14 songs that accompany the traditional Catholic devotion of the same name. The songs are sung in a call-and-response format, with the congregation responding to the cantor's verses. The music is simple and repetitive, with a strong emphasis on rhythm and melody. Another notable work by Argüello is the "Cantata del Ressuscitat," a musical retelling of the Easter story. The cantata is divided into three parts, each of which corresponds to a different stage of the Easter narrative. The music is a blend of traditional Spanish folk music and contemporary pop, with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies and rhythmic percussion. In addition to his work as a composer, Argüello is also a prolific painter. His paintings are characterized by their bold colors and abstract forms, and they often incorporate religious themes and symbols. His art has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has been recognized for his contributions to the field of contemporary art. Today, the Neocatechumenal Way has spread to more than 100 countries around the world, and it has millions of members.

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