Gonzalo Soriano facts for kids

Gonzalo Soriano (born March 14, 1913 – died April 14, 1972) was a very famous classical pianist from Spain. He was known as one of the best pianists of his time.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Gonzalo Soriano was born in Alicante, Spain. He started learning music when he was very young. Soon, he decided to focus mainly on playing the piano. He was a very talented student.

In 1929, he finished his studies at the Royal Conservatory in Madrid. After that, he went to Lisbon to learn more about piano and how to compose music with a teacher named Amzel. When he came back to Madrid, a famous composer named Manuel de Falla became his mentor. Soriano often played de Falla's music, and people quickly started to notice his amazing talent. He also spent time with other artists and writers, like Ramón Gómez de la Serna.

Building a Global Reputation

Soriano's career was put on hold because of the Spanish Civil War. After World War II ended, he started to become well-known across Europe. People and music critics were very impressed by how good he was. They loved his skill, his technique, and how much feeling he put into his music.

He began giving concerts in Europe in 1947. In 1954, he went on his first tour in the United States. This tour was a big success, both with audiences and critics. During this trip, he made his first American recording. It featured Suite española by Albéniz. He also recorded other famous pieces like Variations sérieuses by Mendelssohn, Three Romances, Op 27 by Schumann, and Sonata in A minor Op 164 by Schubert.

In 1955, Soriano toured the Far East. In December 1959, he visited countries in Scandinavia. He even performed for the King of Sweden! This special concert happened when Dr. Severo Ochoa received the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Famous Collaborations

Gonzalo Soriano recorded music with many top performers and conductors. He worked with Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos several times. Together, they recorded Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Concerto in D major for harpsichord, both by de Falla. He also made two other great recordings of Nights in the Gardens of Spain with Ataúlfo Argenta.

Victoria de los Angeles, a fantastic singer (soprano), was a big fan of Soriano. She loved working with him for both concerts and recordings. People said that when they performed together, their voices and the piano created a perfect sound. They played music by composers like Frederic Mompou, Xavier Montsalvatge, and Joaquin Turina.

Soriano was especially good at understanding the music of Montsalvatge. He was able to play some of Montsalvatge's most challenging pieces. Montsalvatge even wrote a piece called Sonatine pour Yvette just for Soriano. It was dedicated to the composer's daughter, and Soriano was the first to perform it. Other great composers, like Mompou and Rodolfo Halffter, also wrote music for Soriano. Mompou dedicated No. 9 of his Cançons i Danses to him.

Legacy and Passing

Gonzalo Soriano passed away suddenly on April 14, 1972, in Madrid. He had a stroke at home. At the time, his latest recording of Granados' Twelve Dances was still being made. This work had already won a major award, the Grand Prix du Disque de l'Académie française.

Soriano left behind many recordings and performances. These include all of de Falla's works for keyboard. His music continues to be enjoyed by people around the world.

See also

In Spanish: Gonzalo Soriano para niños