Eduardo López-Chávarri

1871 - 1970

Spanish

Biography

One of the most important composers from Valencia in the history of music, Chavarri began his musical studies at an early age. He studied Law at the University of Valencia, as well as continually developing his knowledge of music in mostly self-tutelage. In particular he was influenced by the teachings and guidance of Felipe Pedrell, which strongly affected his nationalist tendencies. Chavarri continued his studies in Paris in the disciplines of composition and instrumentation, and he developed his knowledge further in Italy and Germany. In Germany he perfected his harmonisation under the direction of Professor Salomon Jadassohn.

Chavarri was simultaneously a great musician and a great writer. His purely literary output includes the book Cuentos Líricos (Lyrical Tales), published in 1907, Armónica (Harmonica), De l’horta i la muntanya (From the Fields to the Mountain), and Proses de viatge (Travel tales). In these Chavarri showed a great ability to blend literary and musical themes.

On 27th January 1940, he was elected member of the Royal Academy of Fine Art of San Carlos in Valencia. In this position Chavarri later carried out a great deal of cultural activity. When this Academy created a Music Section in 1969, Chavarri was named "Academic of Honour”. Other cultural organisations from Valencia with whom Chavarri collaborated are the Círculo de Bellas Artes, Lo Rat Penat, The Choral Society El Micalet and the Valencia Cultural Centre. His prestige led him to be named a member of institutions such as the London Faculty of Art, The Royal Academy of Fine Art of San Fernando in Madrid, The Academies of Fine Art of Cordoba and Barcelona and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Council for Scientific Research).

For his work promoting culture, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Civil Order Alphonso X "the Wise” in 1967.

Performances

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