Country

:

Spain

Formed

:

December 29, 1876 in Vendrell, Catalonia

Disband

:

October 22, 1973 in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Pablo Casals was a renowned cellist, conductor, and composer who was born on December 29, 1876, in El Vendrell, Catalonia, Spain. He was the second of eleven children born to Pilar Defilló and Carles Casals, a parish organist and choir director. Casals showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. However, it was not until he was nine years old that he discovered his true passion for the cello. Casals received his first cello lessons from his father, who was also a cellist. He quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument and began performing in public at the age of 11. In 1890, he moved to Barcelona to study at the Escola Municipal de Música, where he was taught by José García and Jaume Pahissa. He also attended the Conservatori del Liceu, where he studied composition with Joan Baptista Pujol. In 1896, Casals made his debut as a soloist with the Orquestra Pau Casals in Barcelona. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented cellists of his generation and began touring throughout Europe. In 1901, he made his debut in Paris, where he was hailed as a virtuoso. He also performed in London, Berlin, and Vienna, where he was praised for his technical skill and emotional depth. In 1904, Casals was appointed principal cellist of the Orquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. He also began teaching at the Escola Municipal de Música, where he mentored many young cellists who would go on to become successful musicians in their own right. In 1913, he founded the Orquestra Pau Casals, which became one of the most respected orchestras in Spain. Casals' career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I in 1914. He refused to perform in Germany or Austria-Hungary, citing his opposition to their policies and his support for the Allied Powers. He also refused to perform in Spain during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, who he saw as a threat to democracy and human rights. In 1919, Casals moved to Paris, where he continued to perform and teach. He also began to conduct, leading the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris and the Orchestre National de France. In 1920, he made his debut in the United States, where he was greeted with enthusiasm by audiences and critics alike. He also began recording for the Victor Talking Machine Company, making some of the first recordings of classical music. In 1936, the Spanish Civil War broke out, and Casals once again found himself in opposition to the government. He refused to perform in Spain and instead moved to Prades, a small town in the French Pyrenees. There, he founded the Festival Pablo Casals, which brought together musicians from around the world to perform chamber music and promote peace and understanding. In 1939, Casals moved to the United States, where he lived for the rest of his life. He continued to perform and record, and also became an advocate for human rights and social justice. He was a vocal opponent of the Franco regime in Spain and supported the civil rights movement in the United States. Casals received many honors and awards throughout his career. In 1958, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also received the Légion d'honneur from the French government and the Order of Merit from the British government. In 1971, he was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal for his work promoting peace and understanding through music.

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