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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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