Frederico Mompou facts for kids

Federico (Frederic) Mompou was a Spanish composer from Catalonia. He was born in Barcelona on 16 April 1893. He passed away in Barcelona on 30 June 1987. Mompou is best known for his short pieces written for solo piano and his lovely songs.

Mompou's Early Life and Studies

Federico Mompou was born in Barcelona, Spain. He began his music studies there, learning piano at the Conservatorio del Liceo.

In 1911, Mompou moved to Paris, France. He had planned to become a concert pianist, playing music for audiences. However, Mompou was a very shy person. Because of his shyness, he decided to become a composer instead. This meant he would write music rather than perform it.

Returning Home During Wars

When World War I started in 1914, Mompou left Paris and returned to Barcelona. He went back to Paris in 1921 and lived there for many years.

In 1941, he returned to Catalonia again. This was because the German army was invading Paris during World War II. Mompou continued to give talks about his music. He lived to be 94 years old, passing away in 1987 after having a stroke.

Mompou's Musical Style

Mompou is famous for being a "miniaturist." This means he mostly composed short musical pieces. His music often sounds like it is being made up on the spot, almost like an improvisation.

When he wrote his Scènes d'enfants (which means "Children's Scenes") between 1915 and 1918, a French music critic named Émile Vuillermoz praised him. Vuillermoz thought Mompou would become a great composer, similar to Claude Debussy.

Although Mompou did not become as famous as Debussy, his music shows the influence of French Impressionism. He was also inspired by another composer, Erik Satie. Mompou often used short, repeated musical patterns, which are called ostinati. He also liked to include sounds that reminded people of bells.

Many of his pieces have a thoughtful, almost religious feeling. An example is his work called "John of the Cross." Mompou's music also often uses the rhythms and modes (types of scales) found in Catalan folk music.