Biography
Composer and guitarist Ernesto Cordero (born
in 1946 in New York and raised in Puerto
Rico)
has composed a large, rich catalogue where
he has embraced the music of the Caribbean
and used its Afro-Hispanic flavor as a basis
for his own language. He has written six
concertos
(three for guitar, one for violin/mandolin,
one for flute-piccolo and one for the Puerto
Rican cuatro), a variety of chamber works
in which the guitar appears in diverse ensembles
and numerous guitar solos, some of which
have become standards. He has received important
awards for composition and his music is performed
and recorded worldwide by the finest artists.
To date, there are more than forty recordings
of Cordero's works and all of his several
dozen compositions that include the guitar
have been published appearing under the banners
of leading publishers, for example, Max
Eschig
(France), Berben (Italy), Chanterelle, Antes
Edition and Hubertus Nogatz (Germany),
Doberman-yppan
(Canada) and Mel-Bay Publications (USA). |
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Although Ernesto
Cordero is now generally known only as a composer,
the New York Times reviewer Peter G. Davis
highly
acclaimed Ernesto Cordero's January 1978 New
York Carnegie Recital Hall debut as a guitarist
and
as a composer: "His technique is impeccable,
remarkable for its finger independence and ability
to clarify
and articulate the most complex textures. The
colorist variety of his playing is also extensive,
and the subtle interplay of tonal nuances gave
each piece a solid musical profile as well as
supplying a beguiling sensuous wash of sound."
Of Cordero's compositions, the New York Times
review said, "...like Mr. Cordero's performances
they projected a healthy combination of skill,
sensitive invention and sound musical effect."
Milestones for Ernesto Cordero have been
the performances and recordings of his guitar
concertos: the 1978 and 1983 premieres in Puerto
Rico of the Concierto Evocativo and the Concierto
Antillano, the 1988 performance of the Concierto
Antillano in Paris by the Philharmonic of Radio
France under the baton of his close friend and
colleague Leo Brouwer, and the 1991 premiere
at
the Sixth International Congress of Guitar in
Mettmann, Germany of the Concierto Bayon. Ernesto
Cordero's countrymen Ivn Rijos, Leonardo Egrbida
and Juan Sorroche have all performed his concertos,
as have leading international performers including,
Angel Romero, Carlos Barbosa Lima, Manuel Barruecos,
Costas Cotsiolis and Alrio Díaz. The
Concierto Antillano, has been recorded three
times, first
by Costas Cotsiolis and the Philharmonic Orchestra
of liege directed by Leo Brouwer (Msica Viva
MV 88.045), later by Carlos Barbosa Lima (Concord
CCD-42048-2), and more recently by Angel Romero
who made a video of the Concerto (Corporacin
de las Artes Musicales). Presently, the San
Juan
Orchestra directed by Roseln Pabn has recorded
Tres Conciertos del Caribe", an all Cordero
CD which presents the Concierto Evocativo with
Leonardo
Egrbida as guitar soloist, the Concierto Bayon
with Ivn Rijos as guitar soloist and the Concierto
Criollo with Edwin Coln Zayas as soloist on
the cuatro, the characteristically Puerto
Rican folk
lute which is double strung with metal strings
like the mandolin or the bandrria (Tropical
Concerti CD).
Ernesto Cordero began his higher studies in
1963 when he entered the Conservatory of Music
in Puerto
Rico and he continued at the Royal Conservatory
of Music in Madrid, Spain where he earned a
diploma
in 1971. Subsequently, he did post-graduate work
in composition with Roberto Canggiano in Rome,
Italy from 1972 to 1974 and with Julian Orbn
in New York from 1977 to 1978. He first studied
guitar from 1961 to 1964 with Jorge Rubiano and
he later worked with several teachers, most
importantly
Regino Sainz de la Maza in Spain in the 60s and
Alrio Daz in Italy in 1972. Since 1971, he
has been affiliated with the University of
Puerto
Rico, where he now holds the title of Professor
in both the Departments of Composition and
of
Guitar. In addition to his activities as composer,
performer and teacher, Ernesto Cordero, was
music
director since 1980 to 1997 of the International
Guitar Festival of Puerto Rico. He is in demand
throughout the world as a distinguished participant
in leading competitions and festivals.
- Michael Lorimer, New York, NY
1997
Reviews -
"Cordero quintessentializes
for us the sonority of the world of XVI century
music, with a contemporary touch, in a
totally organic manner. His sonority also possesses
a quality which humanity has sought and will
forever seek: a serene beauty." Leo Brouwer
"Finesse. Full of folklore and deep lyricism.
It's a new Caribbean sonority." Julin
Orbn
CD Three Caribbean Concertos by Ernesto Cordero
"They are a very substantial contribution
not only to Latin-American literature but to
the
global guitar." Colin Cooper
"... a healthy combination of skill, sensitive
invention and sound musical effect." New
York Times
Concierto de Bayon "I truly consider this
concerto as one of the most important works
written
for guitar and orchestra." Carlos Barbosa
Lima
Concierto Antillano "... what a superb addition
to the guitarist repertoire..." Ron Purcell
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