Carlos Baguer facts for kids

Carlos (also known as Carles) Baguer (born March 1768 – died February 29, 1808) was a Spanish classical music composer and organist. He was a very important musician in Catalonia during his time.

Life and Career

Carlos Baguer was born in Barcelona in March 1768. He learned music from his uncle, Francesc Mariner, who was a composer and organist at the Barcelona Cathedral.

In 1786, Carlos became his uncle's assistant organist. When his uncle passed away in 1789, Carlos took over as the main organist. He held this important job until he died. Even though he had become a priest, he left that role in 1801.

Carlos Baguer died in Barcelona in 1808. This was on the same day that French soldiers took control of Barcelona during the Peninsular War.

Some of his students became famous musicians too. These included Mateu Ferrer, who became the next organist at the cathedral, and Ramon Carnicer.

Baguer was known as a fantastic performer and improviser on the organ. He was one of the most important musical figures in Catalonia at that time.

Works

Carlos Baguer wrote many different types of music. His most important works are probably his nineteen symphonies. These symphonies make him one of the top composers of symphonies in Spain during his era. Many of his symphonies were influenced by composers like Pleyel and Haydn.

He also wrote a concerto for two bassoons and another for English horn (which is now lost). He created a series of six duets for flute and many pieces for keyboard instruments.

Besides these, Baguer composed a lot of religious music. This music, like masses and Psalms, was used in churches such as the Church of St. Philip Neri and the Barcelona Cathedral. He also wrote an opera called The Philosopher Princess, which was first performed in 1797.

Symphonies

• Symphony No. 1 in C major
• Symphony No. 2 in C minor (1790)
• Symphony No. 3 in D major
• Symphony No. 4 in D major
• Symphony No. 5 in D major
• Symphony No. 6 in D major
• Symphony No. 7 in D major
• Symphony No. 8 in D major
• Symphony No. 9 in D major
• Symphony No. 10 in D major
• Symphony No. 11 in D major
• Symphony No. 12 in E flat major (around 1786)
• Symphony No. 13 in E flat major
• Symphony No. 14 in E flat major
• Symphony No. 15 in E flat major
• Symphony No. 16 in G major (around 1790)
• Symphony No. 17 in B flat major
• Symphony No. 18 in B flat major (1790)
• Symphony No. 19 in B flat major (1790)

Concertos

• Concerto for two bassoons and orchestra in F major
• English horn concerto (1801) (this piece is now lost)

Chamber Music

• Sonata No. 2 in G minor for keyboard
• Sonata No. 4 in A major for keyboard
• Sonata No. 16 in E flat major
• Sonata No. 52 (?) In B flat major
• Six flute duets

Opera

• The Philosopher Princess (1797), an opera based on a story by Carlo Gozzi.

Oratorios

Carlos Baguer also wrote several oratorios, which are like plays set to music, usually with religious themes. Some of these include:

• Death of Abel (1802)
• The Adoration of the Child God by Angels and Shepherds (1805)
• The Resurrection of Lazarus (1806)
• The Return of the Prodigal Son (1807)

Sacred Music

He composed many pieces for church services, such as:

• Mass for four voices and accompaniment
• Mass for two and three voices with accompaniment
• Mass for eight voices and accompaniment
• Kyrie and Gloria for four voices and accompaniment
• Magnificat for four voices and accompaniment

See also

In Spanish: Carles Baguer para niños