Alberto Evaristo Ginastera (; April 11, 1916June 25, 1983) was an Argentine

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be #Relationship to other music traditions, distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical mu ...

. He is considered to be one of the most important 20th-century classical composers of the

Americas The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...

Biography

Ginastera was born in

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...

to a

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

father and an

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

mother. During his later years, he preferred to use the Catalan and Italian pronunciation of his surname – , with an initial soft 'G' like that of English 'George' – rather than with a

'J' sound (). Ginastera studied at the Williams Conservatory in Buenos Aires, graduating in 1938. As a young professor, he taught at the Liceo Militar General San Martín. After a visit to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

in 1945–47, where he studied with

Aaron Copland Aaron Copland (, ; November 14, 1900December 2, 1990) was an American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist, and conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the "Dean of American Compos ...

Tanglewood Tanglewood is a music venue and Music festival, festival in the towns of Lenox, Massachusetts, Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. It has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony ...

, he returned to Buenos Aires. He held a number of teaching posts. Among his notable students were

Ástor Piazzolla Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla (, ; March 11, 1921 – July 4, 1992) was an Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player, and arranger. His works revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed '' nuevo tango'', incorporating elements fr ...

(who studied with him in 1941),

Alcides Lanza Alcides Emigdio Lanza (2 June 1929 – 17 July 2024) was an Argentine-born Canadian composer, conductor, pianist, and music educator. As both a composer and performer he is known as an exponent of contemporary classical music and avant-garde m ...

, Jorge Antunes,

Waldo de los Ríos Osvaldo Nicolás Ferraro Gutiérrez (7 September 1934 – 28 March 1977) better known as Waldo de los Ríos was an Argentine composer, conductor and arranger. De los Ríos was born in Buenos Aires into a musical family; his father was a musician ...

, Jacqueline Nova, Blas Atehortua, Rafael Aponte-Ledée. (') In 1968 Ginastera moved back to the United States, and in 1970 to Europe. He died in

Geneva Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...

, Switzerland, at the age of 67 and was buried in the Cimetière des Rois there.

Music

Ginastera grouped his music into three periods: "Objective Nationalism" (1934–1948), "Subjective Nationalism" (1948–1958), and "Neo-Expressionism" (1958–1983). Among other distinguishing features, these periods vary in their use of traditional Argentine musical elements. His Objective Nationalistic works often integrate Argentine folk themes in a straightforward fashion, while works in the later periods incorporate traditional elements in increasingly abstracted forms. Many of Ginastera's works were inspired by the '' Gauchesco'' tradition. This tradition holds that the ''

gaucho A gaucho () or gaúcho () is a skilled horseman, reputed to be brave and unruly. The figure of the gaucho is a folk symbol of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, the southern part of Bolivia, and the south of Chilean Patago ...

'', or landless native horseman of the plains, is a symbol of Argentina. His ''Cantata para América Mágica'' (1960), for dramatic soprano and 53 percussion instruments, was based on ancient pre-Columbian legends. Its U.S. West Coast premiere was performed by the Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble under Henri Temianka and William Kraft at

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...

in 1963.

Works

Opera

* ''

Don Rodrigo ''Don Rodrigo'' is an opera in three acts by Alberto Ginastera, the composer's first opera, to an original Spanish libretto by Alejandro Casona. Ginastera composed the opera on commission from the Municipality of the City of Buenos Aires, Argen ...

'', Op. 31 (1963–64) * ''

Bomarzo Bomarzo is a town and ''comune'' of the province of Viterbo (Lazio, Central Italy), in the lower valley of the Tiber. It is located east-northeast of Viterbo and north-northwest of Rome. History The city's current name is a derivation of ...

'', Op. 34 (1966–67), banned in Argentina until 1972 * ''

Beatrix Cenci ''Beatrix Cenci'' is an opera in two acts by Alberto Ginastera to a Spanish libretto by the composer and William Shand, based on the historical family of Beatrice Cenci, the ''Chroniques italiennes'' by Stendhal, and ''The Cenci'' by Percy Shelley ...

'', Op. 38 (1971), based on the play ''The Cenci'' (1819) by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Ballet

* ''Panambí'', Op. 1 (1935) * ''

Estancia An estancia or estância is a large, private plot of land used for farming or raising cattle or sheep. Estancias are located in the southern South American grasslands of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, while the ''pampas'' have historically bee ...

'', Op. 8 (1941)

Orchestra

*Suite from ''Panambí'', Op. 1a (1937) *Dances from ''Estancia'', Op. 8a (1943) * ''Obertura para el "Fausto" criollo'', Op. 9 (1943) * ''Ollantay'': 3 Symphonic Movements, Op. 17 (1947) * ''Variaciones concertantes'', Op. 23 (1953) * ''Pampeana No. 3'', Op. 24 (1954) * ''Concerto per corde'', Op. 33 (1965) * ''Estudios Sinfonicos'', Op. 35 (1967) * ''

Popol Vuh ''Popol Vuh'' (also ''Popul Vuh'' or ''Pop Vuj'') is a text recounting the mythology and history of the Kʼicheʼ people of Guatemala, one of the Maya peoples who also inhabit the Mexican states of Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, ...

'', Op. 44 (1975–1983, left incomplete at the composer's death) * ''Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals'' for string orchestra, Op. 46 (1976) * ''Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals'' for full orchestra, Op. 48 (1976–77) * Iubilum, Op. 51 (1979–80)

Concertante

* Piano ** Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 28 (1961) ** Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 39 (1972) * Violin ** Violin Concerto, Op. 30 (1963) * Cello ** Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 36 (1968) ** Cello Concerto No. 2, Op. 50 (1980–81) * Harp **

Harp Concerto A harp concerto is a type of musical composition composed for a solo harp player accompanied by a large ensemble, such as a concert band or orchestra. Notable examples * Elias Parish Alvars ** Harp Concerto in G minor (Op. 81) (1842) ** Harp Co ...

, Op. 25 (1956–65)

Chamber/Instrumental

* Duo, for flute and oboe, Op. 13 (1945) * ''Pampeana No. 1'', for violin and piano, Op. 16 (1947) * String Quartet No. 1, Op. 20 (1948) * ''Pampeana No. 2'', for violoncello and piano, Op. 21 (1950) * String Quartet No. 2, Op. 26 (1958, Rev. 1968) * Piano Quintet, Op. 29 (1963) * String Quartet No. 3, for soprano and string quartet, Op. 40 (1973) * ''Puneña No. 1'', for flute, Op. 41 (1973, left incomplete at the time of the composer's death) * ''Puneña No. 2'' ("Hommage à

Paul Sacher Paul Sacher (28 April 190626 May 1999) was a Swiss conductor, patron and billionaire businessman. At the time of his death Sacher was majority shareholder of pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche and was considered the third richest person i ...

"), for violoncello, Op. 45 (1976) * Sonata for guitar, Op. 47 (1976, Rev. 1981) * Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 49 (1979) * Fanfare for four trumpets, op. 51a (1980)

Piano

* '' Danzas argentinas'', Op. 2 (1937) * ''Tres piezas'', Op. 6 (1940) * ''Malambo'', Op. 7 ( 1940) * "Pequena Danza" (from the ballet ''Estancia'', Op. 8) (1941) * ''12 Preludios americanos'', Op. 12 (1944) * ''Suite de danzas criollas'', Op. 15 (1946, rev. 1956) * ''Rondó sobre temas infantiles argentinos'', Op. 19 (1947) * Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 (1952) * Arrangement of an Organ Toccata by Domenico Zipoli (1970) * Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 53 (1981) * Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 54 (1982) * ''Danzas argentinas para los ninos'' (Unfinished) *# ''Moderato: para Alex'' *# ''Paisaje: para Georgina''

Organ

* Toccata, Villancico y Fuga, Op. 18 (1947) * Variazioni e Toccata sopra '' Aurora lucis rutilat'', Op. 52 (1980), dedicated to W. Stuart Pope (president of

Boosey & Hawkes Boosey & Hawkes is a British Music publisher (sheet music), music publisher, purported to be the largest specialist classical music publisher in the world. Until 2003, it was also a major manufacturer of brass instrument, brass, string instru ...

), premiered by Marilyn Mason at the 1980 national convention of the AGO in Minneapolis.

Vocal/Choral

* 2 Songs, for voice and piano, Op. 3 (1938) * ''Cantos del Tucumán'', for voice, flute, harp, percussion, and violin, Op. 4 (1938) * ''Psalm 150'', for mixed choir, children's choir and orchestra, Op. 5 (1938) * '' 5 canciones populares argentinas'', for voice and piano, Op. 10 (1943) * ''Las horas de una estancia'', for voice and piano, Op. 11 (1943) * '' Lamentaciones de Jeremias Propheta'', for chorus, Op. 14 (1946) * ''Cantata para América mágica'', for dramatic soprano and percussion orchestra, Op. 27 (1960) * ''Cantata Bomarzo'', for soloists, narrator, and chamber orchestra, Op. 32 (1964) * ''Milena'', for soprano and orchestra, Op. 37 (1971) * ''Serenata'', for baritone, violoncello, wind quintet, percussion, harp, and double bass, Op. 42 (1973) * ''Turbae ad passionem gregorianam'', for soloists, chorus, boy's chorus and orchestra, Op. 43 (1975) * ''Canción del beso robado'', for voice and piano (19??)

Works withdrawn by the composer (without opus number)

* ''Piezas Infantiles'', for piano (1934) * ''Impresiones de la Puna'', for flute and string quartet (1934) * ''Concierto argentino'', for piano and orchestra (1936) * ''El arriero canta'', for chorus (1937) * Sonatina, for harp (1938) * Symphony No. 1 ("Porteña") (1942) * Symphony No. 2 ("Elegíaca") (1944)

Incidental/film music

* ''Don Basilio malcasado'' (1940) * ''Doña Clorinda la descontenta'' (1941) * ''Malambo'' (1942) * ''Rosa de América'' (1945) * ''Las antiguas semillas'' (1947) * ''Nace la libertad'' (1949) * ''El puente'' (1950) * '' Facundo, el tigre de los llanos'' (1952) * ''Caballito criollo'' (1953) * ''Su seguro servidor'' (1954) * ''Los maridos de mamá'' (1956) * ''Enigma de mujer'' (1956) * '' Spring of Life'' (1957) * '' Hay que bañar al nene'' (1958) * ''El límite'' (1958) * ''A María del corazón'' (1960) * ''La doncella prodigiosa'' (1961)

Discography

*''Bomarzo'', The Opera Society of Washington, Julius Rudel, conductor; 1967 recording re-released on Sony Classical in 2016. * ''Cantata para América Mágica'', Raquel Adonaylo, soprano; Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble, William Kraft, conductor. With: Carlos Chávez, ''Toccata for Percussion'', Henri Temianka, conductor. LP recording, analog, rpm, stereo, Columbia Masterworks MS 6447. New York: Columbia Records, 1963. * ''Cantata para America Magica'', McGill Percussion Ensemble, P. Béluse, director, Elise Bédard, soprano, McGill Records CD, 1997. * ''Complete works for piano'', Andrzej Pikul (piano), Dux Recording Producers, 2007. * Quartet No. 1,

Paganini Quartet The Paganini Quartet was an American string quartet founded by cellist Robert Maas and violinist Henri Temianka in 1946. The quartet drew its name from the fact that all four of its instruments, made by Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737), had ...

, Decca Gold Label. * Art Songs of Latin-America, Patricia Caicedo, soprano & Pau Casan, piano – Albert Moraleda Records, Barcelona, 2001 – Cinco canciones populares argentinas by Ginastera & Canción al árbol del olvido * 2007 – Flores Argentinas: Canciones de Ginastera y Guastavino / Inca Rose Duo: Annelise Skovmand, voice; Pablo González Jazey, guitar. Cleo Productions, Cleo Prod 1002. Arrangements by González Jazey for voice and guitar of: ''Cinco canciones populares argentinas'' Op. 10 and Dos canciones Op. 3. * Arrangement of Piano Concerto No. 1; fourth movement; as "Toccata",

Emerson, Lake & Palmer Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock Supergroup (music), supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards) of The Nice, Greg Lake (vocals, bass, guitars, producer) ...

, ''

Brain Salad Surgery ''Brain Salad Surgery'' is the fourth studio album by English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released on 7 December 1973 by their new record label, Manticore Records, and distributed by Atlantic Records. Following the tour in sup ...

'', 1973. *''Nissman Plays Ginastera: The Three Piano Concertos''. Barbara Nissman, piano;

Kenneth Kiesler Kenneth Kiesler (born August 18, 1953) is an American symphony orchestra and opera conductor and mentor to conductors. Kiesler is conductor laureate of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra where he was music director from 1980 to 2000 and founder and d ...

, conductor; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra. (CD) Pierian 0048 (2012)
Complete piano solo and piano/chamber works
Barbara Nissman (piano) with Aurora Natola-Ginastera (cello), Ruben Gonzales (violin) and the Laurentian String Quartet. Three Oranges Recordings (3OR-01) * ''Alberto Ginastera, "A Man of Latin America", A Masterclass with Barbara Nissman''. Three Oranges Recordings (3OR-30)''Alberto Ginastera, "A Man of Latin America", A Masterclass with Barbara Nissman''
Three Oranges Recordings (3OR-30), 2022. * ''Popol Vuh – The Mayan Creation'', Estancia, Panambi, Suite de Danzas Criollas (world premiere of orchestral version), Ollantay. Gisele Ben-Dor, conductor.

London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's orchestras, symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's ...

Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (Hebrew: התזמורת הסימפונית ירושלים, ''ha-Tizmoret ha-Simfonit Yerushalayim'') is a major orchestra of Israel. Since the 1980s, the JSO has been based in the Henry Crown Symphony Hall, part o ...

BBC National Orchestra of Wales The BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) () is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional radio orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both ...

Naxos Naxos (; , ) is a Greek island belonging to the Cyclades island group. It is the largest island in the group. It was an important centre during the Bronze Age Cycladic Culture and in the Ancient Greek Archaic Period. The island is famous as ...

, 2010. * ''Panambi, Estancia (complete Ballets)'', Gisele Ben-Dor, conductor. Luis Gaeta, narrator/bass baritone.

, 1998&2006. * Glosses on Themes of Pablo Casals, Variaciones concertantes. Gisele Ben-Dor, conductor.

. Israel Chamber Orchestra.

1995&2010. *

John Antill John Henry Antill, CMG, OBE (8 April 190429 December 1986) was an Australian composer best known for his ballet ''Corroboree''. Biography Antill was born in Sydney in 1904, and was educated and trained in music at Trinity Grammar School, Sydn ...

: ''Corroboree'' ballet suite and Ginastera: ''Panambi'' ballet suite,

, Sir Eugene Goossens, conductor, Everest stereo LP, SDBR 3003 * String Quartets – "Ginastera: String Quartets," Cuarteto Latinoamericano, with Claudia Montiel, soprano lan 82270*Piano Concerto No. 1 and Piano Sonata No. 1, Hilde Somer, piano; Ernst Märzendorfer, conductor; Vienna Philharmonia Orchestra; Desto (D-402/DS-6402) *2022 –
Eclipse
' Deutsche Grammophon, 4862383.

Hilary Hahn Hilary Hahn (born November 27, 1979) is an American violinist. A three-time Grammy Award winner, she has performed throughout the world as a soloist with leading orchestras and conductors, and as a recitalist. She is an avid supporter of contemp ...

violin with

Andrés Orozco-Estrada Andrés Orozco-Estrada (born 14 December 1977) is a Colombian violinist and conductor, with dual nationality in Colombia and Austria. He is the Principal Conductor of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Designate of the Gü ...

and the

Frankfurt Radio Symphony The Frankfurt Radio Symphony () is the radio orchestra of Hessischer Rundfunk, the public broadcasting network of the German state of Hesse. Venues are Alte Oper and hr-Sendesaal. Music director is the French conductor Alain Altinoglu. Chi ...

, various composers.