Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

1890 in Barcelona, Spain

Death

:

1966

 

Antoni Massana was a Spanish composer born on January 17, 1939, in Barcelona, Spain. He was the son of a musician and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father, Josep Massana, was a renowned composer and conductor, and his mother, Maria Teresa, was a pianist. Antoni's parents recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Antoni began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano with his mother. He later studied composition and orchestration with his father, who was his primary mentor. Antoni's father was a strict teacher, but he instilled in him a deep love and respect for music. Antoni's musical education continued at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona, where he studied composition with Joan Guinjoan and piano with Maria Canals. Antoni's early compositions were influenced by the music of his father and other Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo. He also drew inspiration from the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Antoni's first major composition was a piano concerto, which he wrote when he was just 18 years old. The concerto was well-received, and it was performed by the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra. In 1962, Antoni won a scholarship to study at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. While in Rome, he studied with the renowned composer Goffredo Petrassi. Antoni's time in Rome was a turning point in his career, as he was exposed to new musical styles and techniques. He began to experiment with serialism and other avant-garde techniques, which would become a hallmark of his later works. Antoni's compositions from the 1960s and 1970s were characterized by their complexity and experimentation. He wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including string quartets, wind quintets, and piano trios. He also wrote several orchestral works, including a symphony and a concerto for orchestra. Antoni's music from this period was often dissonant and challenging, but it was also highly expressive and emotional. In the 1980s, Antoni's music became more accessible and tonal. He began to incorporate elements of Spanish folk music into his compositions, which gave them a distinctive flavor. Antoni's works from this period include several ballets, including "El Jardí de les Delícies" (The Garden of Delights) and "El Somni d'una Nit d'Estiu" (A Midsummer Night's Dream). He also wrote several operas, including "La Celestina" and "El Retablo de Maese Pedro." Antoni's later works were characterized by their simplicity and clarity. He wrote several works for solo piano, including a set of preludes and a sonata. He also wrote several choral works, including a setting of the "Stabat Mater" and a setting of the "Ave Maria." Antoni's music from this period was often introspective and meditative, reflecting his own spiritual beliefs. Antoni Massana was a prolific composer who wrote over 200 works in a variety of genres. His music was characterized by its emotional intensity, technical complexity, and Spanish flavor. Antoni was also a respected teacher, and he taught composition at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona for many years. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid and was awarded the National Prize for Music in 1997. Antoni Massana died on December 28, 2019, at the age of 80.

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