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Friday, February 6th 2009 [ versión español ]
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Front cover of the compact disk that includes the unpublished work of composer and guitarist Leonardo Egúrbida. The concept was created by graphic artist Juan A. García Jiménez. |
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“You really don't know what you are until you discover what others think of you.” That is how the prestigious guitarist and Puerto Rican composer Leonardo Egúrbida reacted during the presentation of the first project that includes all his work.
This statement reaffirms how important is to record, publish and release the artistic pieces that can be found in the silent registers of the modesty of a creator, and the investigative inertia of those who know that there is still much to do in the environment of Puerto Rican cultural music.
This is precisely what represents the project Leonardo Egúrbida: Integral Work by doctor José Antonio López, which was announced this past January 29, 2009 at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), as part of the activities sponsored by the Cultural Agenda.
This anthology includes the unpublished work of maestro Egúrbida in two compact disks, interpreted with López’s particular style. It also includes two books that recompile all the original manuscripts of the composer, digitally edited by the professor of the UPRM Humanities Department.
“The first disk puts together all the compositions for the classical guitar soloist with a total of 15 concert pieces. The second, puts together his work for diverse collaborations, for example, the first piece uses two guitars. It also includes: guitar trios; art songs (lieds) for the classical guitar and soprano; and art songs for guitar and mezzo soprano, pieces that are extremely difficult for the female human voice that would like to interpret them,” explained López.
Leonardo Egúrbida, native of Camuy, studied at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. He received a scholarship from the Puerto Rican Cultural Institute to pursue guitar studies in Madrid. He has been a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Puerto Rico and the Casals Festival Orchestra. He has also presented at Carnegie Hall in New York, and on other stages in Europe. As a concert guitarist and professor for more than 40 years at the Conservatory, he has dedicated himself to the guitar pedagogy, editing and making transcriptions of Puerto Rican classical music.
“Maestro Egúrbida is the principal guitar figure in the history of Puerto Rico. From there arises the necessity of salvaging his work. I know the professor, my teacher, and I know that they haven’t given him the recognition and the justice he deserves as a composer. That is why I define this project as the materialization of a must,” affirmed López.
Leonardo Egúrbida: Integral Work, presented by doctor Astrid Cruz Pol from the Arts and Sciences College, includes pieces such as Entre cenizas y humo (Between Ashes and Smoke, 1964); Tres piezas características (Three Characteristic Pieces, 1968); Prisma de mi infancia (Prism of my Infancy, 1978); and La Saltarina (The Jumper, 1983).
“The process of composing isn’t really that complicated. The difficulty lies in expressing the piece in the instrument. Expressing the musical scores on the guitar doesn’t guarantee that the public will like it. What happens is that the artist depends on the criteria of the person/s listening to the piece,” stated the composer, who shared the work and talent of doctor López as a guitarist, researcher and educator.
López restated his dedication to the educational diffusion of the musical literature of Puerto Rico, a mission that he has proven with the publication of four other books this past year: New Focus on the 25 Melodic and Progressive Studies of Opus 60 of Matteo Carcassi; From Guitarist to Guitartist; Queja del alma: El impacto de la aculturación en la tradición musical puertorriqueña (Complaint of the Soul: the Impact of the acculturation in the Puerto Rican Musical Tradition); and Tato Díaz: Ése soy yo (Tato Díaz: That’s Me). The last two texts were written jointly with his students of the course Puerto Rican Musical Culture, with the webpage: http://blogs.uprm.edu/culturamusical.
The professor announced that he is actually working on three other research projects and is preparing to present a recital in April entitled: A Guitar in the Silence, a concert that will be recorded live in the Yagüez Theatre to be converted in his fifth discography.
The activity ended with the musical interpretation of the two guitarists who received a standing ovation from all those present. López thanked the College of Arts and Sciences for the support and subsidy of this historic effort.
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Doctor José Antonio López explained the research process that concluded with two compact disks and two books with the original manuscripts of the composer, digitally edited.
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| Leonardo Egúrbida has been a guitar professor for more than 40 years. |
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The anthology was presented by doctor Astrid Cruz Pol, from the Arts and Sciences College. |
The activity ended with the musical interpretation of the two guitarists.
Photos by Carlos Díaz / UPRM Press
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