| Pablo
Casals (1876-1973)
Casals
was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
He received his first musical instruction from his father,
and later he studied at the Madrid conservatory. After making
his debut as a cello soloist at the concerts Lamoureux in
Paris in 1898, he toured Europe, the United States, and South
America. He revolutionized the role of the cello by the virtuosity
of his technique and his musicality. He was particularly noted
for his interpretations of the suites of unaccompanied cello
of J.S. Bach. With the French pianist Alfred Cortot, and the
French violinist Jacques Thibaud, Casals formed a noted chamber
music trio. In 1919 he founded the Orquesta Pau Casals in
Barcelona, which with Casals as conductor, became an important
cultural organization in Catalonia until 1936, when the Spanish
Civil War interrupted its activities. After the overthrow
of the Republican government in Spain, Casals took up residence
in France. In 1950 he organized the first annual music festival
in Prades, France, commemorating Bach. In 1956 he moved to
San Juan, Puerto Rico. The annual Casals Festival originated
there in 1957 to promote world peace. Casals composed the
oratorio El pesebre (“The Manger,” 1960), which
he conducted throughout the world. His reminiscences are contained
in Conversations with Casals, recorded in 1955 by Joseph Maria
Corredor. His reflections on his life were published as Joys
and Sorrows (1970). In 1989 the National Academy of Recording
Arts & Sciences recognized Casals with a posthumous Grammy
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Joys
and Sorrows; Reflections,
by Pablo,
Casals, Albert
Kahn
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