Federico Moreno Torroba
Federico Moreno Torroba (left) with zarzuela baritone Plácido Domingo Ferrer backstage at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, 1946
Born
Federico Moreno Torroba

(1891-03-03)3 March 1891[1]
Madrid, Spain[1]
Died12 September 1982(1982-09-12) (aged 91)[1]
Madrid, Spain[1]
NationalitySpanish
OccupationComposer

Federico Moreno Torroba (3 March 1891 – 12 September 1982) was a Spanish composer, conductor, and theatrical impresario. He is especially remembered for his important contributions to the classical guitar repertoire, becoming one of the leading twentieth-century composers for the instrument.[2] He was also one of the foremost composers of zarzuelas, a form of Spanish light opera. His 1932 zarzuela Luisa Fernanda has proved to be enduringly popular. In addition, he composed ballets, symphonic works, and piano pieces, as well as one-act operas and one full-length opera, El poeta, which premiered in 1980, starring well-known tenor Plácido Domingo. Moreno Torroba also ran his own zarzuela company, which toured extensively, especially in Latin America.

Biography and career

Over the course of his long career, Moreno Torroba composed many works, both in traditional Spanish forms and for the concert hall. He is often associated with the zarzuela, a traditional Spanish musical form. He achieved his greatest success in the 1930s with the zarzuelas Luisa Fernanda (1932) and La Chulapona (1934). Directing several opera companies, Moreno Torroba helped introduce the zarzuela to international audiences. In 1946 he formed a zarzuela company with singers Plácido Domingo Ferrer and Pepita Embil, the parents of Plácido Domingo and close friends of his. The company toured Latin America for two years, becoming particularly popular in Mexico. The composer who was identified from the beginning with the phalanx, to be on the national side. decided to go to America in 1946 to avoid the economic and food shortages of the postwar Spain.

Moreno Torroba also composed operas, of which La Virgen de Mayo (1925) and El poeta (1980) with Plácido Domingo in the title role, are his best known.[3] In addition to his vocal works, he is well known for his compositions for the classical guitar,[2] many of which were dedicated to either Maria Angélica Funes or Andrés Segovia. Although he did not play the guitar himself he had a deep understanding of the instrument, according to the virtuoso Pepe Romero.[4] He also frequently conducted.

Torroba is also the composer of Cuban Boy, the Frank Chacksfield recorded version of which is known as the theme tune for the BBC Scotland comedy show Still Game.

Works

Operas

Zarzuelas

Ballets

Orchestral works

(see below for works with guitar)

Guitar works

Solo

Guitar with orchestra

Guitar quartets

Piano works

Recordings with Moreno Torroba as conductor or performer

LP

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (December 2010)

CD

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (December 2010)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Moreno Torroba, Federico". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  2. ^ a b "Moreno Torroba's biography (Naxos)". Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
  3. ^ List of Moreno tenho fome Torroba's work from Zarzuela.net site
  4. ^ Discussion with Pepe Romero
  5. ^ Mosaico Andaluz – Orquesta De Conciertos De Madrid, Director y arreglador F. Moreno Torroba Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Recordando El Ayer - Orquesta Federico Moreno Torroba: "Lote 20207731 | Catálogo todocoleccion | Coleccionismo y Antigüedades | Comprar - Vender - Subastas". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-07-10., "Lote 20207732 | Catálogo todocoleccion | Coleccionismo y Antigüedades | Comprar - Vender - Subastas". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-07-10., "Lote 20207733 | Catálogo todocoleccion | Coleccionismo y Antigüedades | Comprar - Vender - Subastas". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  7. ^ La Voz de su Amo Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Banda De Pasodobles De Madrid Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Ultimos Exitos De Lola Flores
  10. ^ Luisa Fernanda: "Lote 19780857 | Catálogo todocoleccion | Coleccionismo y Antigüedades | Comprar - Vender - Subastas". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-07-10., [1]
  11. ^ Corrida De Toros Con Oles Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ María Manuela

Literature

External links

Authority control databases
Categories