Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Spain

Birth

:

November 12, 1923 in Venezuela

Death

:

July 5, 2016 in Rome, Italy

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Alirio Diaz was a Venezuelan classical guitarist who was born on November 12, 1923, in Caserio La Candelaria, a small village in the state of Lara, Venezuela. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father played the cuatro, a small guitar-like instrument, and his mother sang in the church choir. Diaz showed an early interest in music and began playing the cuatro at the age of six. At the age of 12, Diaz began studying the guitar with Jesus Aguirre, a local musician. He quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument and began performing in public at the age of 14. In 1945, Diaz moved to Caracas to study at the Academia de Música Juan Manuel Olivares. He studied under Raul Borges, a renowned Venezuelan guitarist, and also took classes in harmony, counterpoint, and composition. In 1948, Diaz won first prize in the National Guitar Competition in Caracas, which launched his career as a professional musician. He began performing throughout Venezuela and soon gained a reputation as one of the country's top guitarists. In 1950, Diaz traveled to Europe to study with Andrés Segovia, the most famous classical guitarist of the time. Diaz spent two years studying with Segovia in Italy and Spain, and the experience had a profound impact on his playing. Diaz's international career began in 1956 when he won first prize at the International Guitar Competition in Paris. This led to performances throughout Europe, including concerts in London, Berlin, and Vienna. Diaz also began recording for major record labels, including Deutsche Grammophon and RCA Victor. In 1960, Diaz made his debut in the United States, performing at the Town Hall in New York City. He quickly became a favorite of American audiences and began touring the country regularly. Diaz also performed in Canada, Mexico, and South America, and he became known as one of the world's leading classical guitarists. Diaz's repertoire included a wide range of music, from Baroque and Classical works to contemporary pieces. He was particularly known for his interpretations of Spanish and Latin American music, and he helped to popularize the music of composers such as Heitor Villa-Lobos and Antonio Lauro. Diaz also collaborated with other musicians, including the Venezuelan pianist Alicia de Larrocha and the Spanish cellist Gaspar Cassadó. Throughout his career, Diaz received numerous awards and honors. In 1973, he was awarded the Order of Andrés Bello, one of Venezuela's highest honors for cultural achievement. He was also awarded the National Prize for Music in Venezuela in 1980. In 2003, Diaz was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Latin American music. Diaz continued to perform and record well into his 80s. He died on July 5, 2016, at the age of 92. Diaz's legacy as one of the greatest classical guitarists of the 20th century lives on through his recordings and the many students he taught throughout his career.

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