Blas Galindo facts for kids

Blas Galindo Dimas (born February 3, 1910 – died April 19, 1993) was an important Mexican composer. He wrote many different kinds of music.

Biography

Blas Galindo was born in San Gabriel, Jalisco, a town in Jalisco, Mexico. He started studying music in Mexico City in 1931. He went to the National Conservatory until 1944. There, he learned about composing music from Carlos Chávez. He also studied piano with other teachers.

In 1934, Blas Galindo and three friends formed a group called the Grupo de los cuatro. This means "Group of Four." The group wanted to create new music using traditional Mexican sounds. His friends in the group were Daniel Ayala, Salvador Contreras, and José Pablo Moncayo.

In 1941, Galindo went to the Berkshire Music Festival in Tanglewood, USA. He studied with a famous American composer named Aaron Copland. In 1942, one of Galindo's own orchestral pieces, Arroyos, was played there.

When he returned to Mexico in 1942, he became a professor. He taught composition at the National Conservatory. In 1947, he became the Director of the Conservatory. He held this important job until 1961. He also led the music department for the National Institute of Fine Arts.

As Director, Galindo helped reform the school's rules. He also helped build a new building for the Conservatory. In 1949, he traveled to Europe. He was asked to be a judge at a piano competition in Poland. During this trip, he visited music schools in seven different countries.

In 1952, Blas Galindo married Ernestina Mendoza Vega. He continued his work in music. In 1955, he became the Director of Artistic Activities for the Mexican Social Security Institute. Later, he led their Symphony Orchestra. Galindo often attended music festivals. He was also a guest conductor for many orchestras. He gave talks and wrote articles about music.

In 1960, he received a special award. This award allowed him to focus more on composing music. He retired in 1965 to spend all his time writing music. He would often leave Mexico City to go to a quiet country house. This helped him focus completely on his compositions. In 1974, he conducted the Conservatory orchestra and chorus. This was to celebrate 25 years of the new Conservatory building.

Blas Galindo worked hard to make sure his music was performed. He also wanted his music to be published. He wrote over 150 musical pieces during his life.

Awards

Blas Galindo received many awards for his music. These include:

• "José Angel Lamas" prize from the Secretary of Public Education.
• An honor diploma from the Venezuelan Society of Authors and Composers.
• A gold medal as "the best composer of the year."
• A diploma from the city of Los Angeles, California.
• The National Arts and Science Award for 1958–1964. This was given to him by the President of Mexico.

Works

Blas Galindo wrote more than 150 musical pieces. His music was for many different instruments and groups.

Orchestral Music

This is music written for a large group of instruments called an orchestra.

• 1940: Sones de Mariachi
• 1942: Concerto No. 1, for piano and orchestra
• 1945: Nocturno, for orchestra
• 1951: La Manda, a ballet
• 1951: Suite from the ballet La manda
• 1952: Scherzo mexicano for string orchestra
• 1956: Sinfonía breve, for strings
• 1957: Symphony No. 2
• 1960: Concerto, for flute and orchestra
• 1961: Concerto No. 2, for piano and orchestra
• 1961: Symphony No. 3
• 1962: Concerto, for violin and orchestra
• 1973: Concertino, for electric guitar and orchestra
• 1984: Concerto, for cello and orchestra
• Homenaje a Cervantes, a suite
• Letanía erótica
• Obertura mexicana no. 2, for piano and orchestra
• Poema de Neruda, for string orchestra
• Concerto, for flute and band
• Concerto, for guitar and band

Vocal Works

These are pieces written for singers, sometimes with instruments.

• 1939: Jicarita
• 1939: Mi querer pasaba el río
• 1939: Paloma blanca
• 1946: Cantata a la Patria, a cantata based on a poem, for choir and orchestra
• 1947: Two Songs, for voice and piano
• 1947: Three Songs, for voice and piano
• 1948: Me Gusta Cuando Callas, after Pablo Neruda
• 1957: Cantata Homenaje a Benito Juárez
• 1965: Letania erótica para la paz, a cantata
• 1975: Cinco canciones a la madre muerta, for voice and piano
• Dos Corazones for mixed choir
• Arrullo, for soloist and orchestra
• Canciones de Jalisco
• Madre mía cuando muera, for soprano and orchestra
• Segundo himno de Jalisco

Chamber Music

This is music for a small group of instruments, like a trio or quartet.

• 1947: Sonata, for clarinet and piano
• 1948: Sonata, for cello and piano
• 1956: Sonata, for violin and piano
• 1961: Piano Quintet
• 1961: Suite, for violin and piano
• 1972: String Quartet

Solo Piano Music

These pieces are written for just one piano.

• 1935: La lagartija
• 1936: Suite No. 2
  • Impresión
  • Caricatura de vals
  • Jalisciense
• 1937: Sombra, Preludio
• 1937: Prelude
• 1938: Llano alegre
• 1939: Danzarina, a waltz
• 1941: Fugue in C
• 1944: Allegro para una sonata
• 1944: Prelude
• 1945: Five Preludes
• 1945: Y ella estaba triste, Preludio
• 1952: Seven Pieces
• 1964-1973: Piezas infantiles (Children's Pieces)
• 1976: Sonata
• 1987: Preludio No. 6

Cello Music

• Sonata for unaccompanied cello

Guitar Music

• Suplica de Amor

Film Scores

• 1955 Raices

See also

In Spanish: Blas Galindo para niños