Eduardo Caba facts for kids

Eduardo Caba (born in 1890 in Potosi, Bolivia – died in 1953 in La Paz, Bolivia) was a famous Bolivian nationalist composer. He was also a talented pianist and a music teacher. He spent most of his working life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His last ten years were spent in La Paz, Bolivia.

A Musician's Life

Eduardo Caba's parents were Dr. Gregorio Caba and Adelina Balsalia. His father was a respected Bolivian doctor. His mother was Italian and loved music very much. She was his first music teacher, helping him start his musical journey.

In 1926, Eduardo moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, he studied advanced music, especially harmony. He learned from the Argentine composer Felipe Boero. In 1927, he received a special scholarship from the Bolivian government. This allowed him to study in Madrid, Spain. He learned from famous teachers like Joaquín Turina and Pérez Casas.

However, the Bolivian government later stopped his scholarship. Eduardo had to stop his studies in Madrid. Soon after, he went back to Buenos Aires. He became well-known there and made many friends. His music was even played at the famous Teatro Colón. In 1942, Caba returned to Bolivia. He became the director of the National Conservatory of Music in La Paz. He also lived in Montevideo for two years with his family.

From the start of his career, important people praised Caba's music. A Spanish music expert named Adolfo Salazar admired his work. Salazar wrote about Caba in his book Música y músicos de hoy (1928). He also wrote articles about him in the Spanish newspaper El Sol.

Caba's music was also played in Paris, France. The pianist Ricardo Viñes performed his compositions at La Revue musicale. Viñes was one of the biggest supporters of Caba's music. The French composer Henry Prunières, who started La Revue musicale, thought Caba was a very important Latin American musician. The French singer Ninon Vallin also performed Caba's works. She often visited Buenos Aires and sang at the Teatro Colón. Other musicians who promoted Caba's music include Beatriz Balzi and Mariana Alandia.

His Unique Music Style

Music experts describe Eduardo Caba as a composer who used "intuitive" and "vernacular" sounds. "Vernacular" means he used music styles and sounds from his home country, Bolivia. These local sounds are a key part of his music.

The "intuitive" part of his music is very interesting. Caba grew up living near indigenous people. He spent his childhood with them. Because of this, he naturally understood their musical ways. He wasn't just collecting folk songs. He created his music like the indigenous people did. He wanted to share their traditions, dances, and songs. He felt like he was part of the land and its people.

A great example of Caba's music is his dance piece called Kollavina. The Bolivian guitarist Marcos Puña recently performed it.

Family Life

Eduardo Caba married María del Carmen Huergo in Buenos Aires. They had two children, a son named Gregorio and a daughter named María Adelia.

Main Musical Works

Here are some of Eduardo Caba's most important musical pieces:

• 9 Aires indios (from Bolivia)
• Aires indios de Bolivia:
  • Andantino
  • Con reposo
  • Reposado muy expresivo
  • Calmado y expresivo
  • Andantino
  • Allegretto
• Eight folkloric motives from the valleys of Bolivia:
  • Allegretto
  • Alegre moderato y expresivo
  • Alegre y ritmo justo
  • Andante expresivo
  • Allegretto expresivo
  • Un poco lento y expresivo
  • Moderato
  • Alegre moderato
• Flor de bronce
• Kapuri (The Spinner)
• Flor de amor
• Kollavina
• Indiecita
• Kori-Killa (Golden Moon)
• Himno al Sol (Hymn to the Sun), a version for piano
• Potosí, a Symphonic poem with parts like:
  • Leyenda Kechua
  • Monólogo Kechua
  • Danza Kechua
• Danzata, which has four dances for a lute quartet

See also

In Spanish: Eduardo Caba para niños