Alberto Evaristo Ginastera (1916-1983)

 Alberto Evaristo Ginastera
(1916 Buenos Aires, Argentina - June 25, 1983 Geneva, Switzerland)

Marked as a avant garde due to his techniques making use of microtones, serial procedures, and aleatory, Alberto Ginastera began studying at the Conservatorio Williams at the young age of 12. Known to combine folk Argentine rhythms with modern composing techniques, Ginastera won many significant awards in his life including four national prizes, three municipal prizes, Bicentennial Cinzano Award, National Fund for the Arts Annual Award and etc. Ginastera’s Piano Concerto and Cantata para America magica won great acclaim at the 1961 Interamerican Music Festival. His first Opera Don Rodrigo in 1964 was unsuccessful in its introduction in Buenos Aires, but was praised in New York City in 1966.


Ginastera’s masterpiece is the chamber opera Bomarzo (1967)establishing him as one of the leading opera composers of the 20^th century. He received a grant from the Guggenheim Fiundation in 1942 to visit the United States and proceeded to influence his future works in 1945. He was involved in numerous academic activities including being a Member of the Conseil International de la Musique (UNESCO), Member of the National Academy of Fine Arts in Argentina, Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences plus more while also being a Dean and a Professor.





Discography of Works

• Don Rodrigo, Op. 31 (1963-64)
• Bomarzo, Op. 34 (1966-67)
• Album Title: GINASTERA, A.: Complete Piano and Organ Music
  Catalogue No: Naxos 8.557911-12
  Category: Instrumental 
• Album Title: GINASTERA, A.: Cello and Piano Music (Complete) (Kosower)
  Catalogue No: Naxos 8.570569
  Category: Chamber Music, Instrumental 
• Album Title: GINASTEARA, A.: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (Kosower, Bamberg Symphony, Zagrosek)
  Catalogue No: Naxos 8.572372
  Category: Concertos
• Album Title: GINASTERA, A.: Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals / Variaciones concertantes (London Symphony, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Ben-Dor)
  Catalogue No: Naxos 8.572249
  Category: Orchestral, Instrumental

Bibliography:

http://www.britannica.com/Ebchecked/topic/233882/Alberto-Ginastera
http://www.naxos.com/person/Alberto_Ginastera/26054.htm
http://ostinato.tripod.com/ginas.html