Profesión

Featuring

Sean Shibe
Agustín Barrios
Heitor Villa-Lobos
Alberto Ginastera

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

In 1930, guitarist Agustín Barrios adopted the persona of 'Chief Nitsuga Mangoré,' performing in traditional Paraguayan Guaraní clothing and declaring his guitar strings 'six silver moonbeams.'

Compositional Technique

Alberto Ginastera's 'Sonata for Guitar' (1976) incorporates elements of 'magic realism,' featuring ghostly figures from folk music, historical references, and 'deadened drums transmogrified by the body of the guitar.'

Cultural Impact

Agustín Barrios's adopted persona of 'Chief Nitsuga Mangoré' and his 'Profession of Faith' poem explored how South American cultural identities were articulated and the role of the 'Old World' in their construction.

Composition History

Heitor Villa-Lobos composed his 'Twelve Studies' for guitar after a dramatic encounter with Andrés Segovia in 1923 or 1924, where Villa-Lobos challenged Segovia's critique of his guitar writing.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Heitor Villa-Lobos's 'Five Preludes' were designed as a 'brochure for Brazilian music,' showcasing its ability to incorporate multiple styles while retaining its unique identity.

Critical Reception

Despite legendary guitarist Andrés Segovia publicly dismissing Agustín Barrios as 'not a good composer for the guitar,' Segovia was initially impressed by Barrios's 'La catedral' and requested a copy to perform.

Composition History

Heitor Villa-Lobos's 'Twelve Studies' for guitar, completed in 1928, faced publication delays due to political events in Brazil, World War II, and the technical challenges of the work, making its history 'an enigma.'