Consuelo Velázquez
Encyclopedia
Consuelo Velázquez (popularly also known as Consuelito Velázquez) was a Mexican concert pianist, songwriter and recording artist.
According to her obituary, she was 88 years old when she died. Most music resources, however, list her birth date as August 29, 1924, in Ciudad Guzmán
, state of Jalisco
, Mexico
.
Velázquez was the songwriter
and lyricist
of many Latin
standard song
s, such as Amar y vivir, Verdad amarga, Franqueza, Que seas feliz, Cachito, Enamorada and, most notably, the enduring 1940s-era standard Bésame mucho
, a romantic ballad which was soon recorded by artists around the globe, making it an international hit.
Velázquez, who is said to have begun playing the piano
at the age of four, started her professional career as a classical music concert pianist, performing at Palacio de Bellas Artes
and XEQ Radio, but later became a singer and recording artist. According to Velázquez herself, she was strongly influenced by Spanish
composer
Enrique Granados
.
Velázquez also was elected to the Mexican Congress, served as president for SACM (Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico), and was vice-president of CISAC (International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies). She died of respiratory problems in Mexico City
. Velázquez had been in hospital since she suffered a fall in November 2004.
According to her obituary, she was 88 years old when she died. Most music resources, however, list her birth date as August 29, 1924, in Ciudad Guzmán
Ciudad Guzmán
Ciudad Guzmán is a city in the Mexican state of Jalisco.It is located at , 124 km south of Guadalajara, at a height of 1,507 metres above sea level...
, state of Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Velázquez was the songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
of many Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
standard song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s, such as Amar y vivir, Verdad amarga, Franqueza, Que seas feliz, Cachito, Enamorada and, most notably, the enduring 1940s-era standard Bésame mucho
Bésame Mucho
"Bésame Mucho" is a Spanish language song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.-Inspiration:According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing as she heard was considered a sin.She was inspired by the piano...
, a romantic ballad which was soon recorded by artists around the globe, making it an international hit.
Velázquez, who is said to have begun playing the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at the age of four, started her professional career as a classical music concert pianist, performing at Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is the most important cultural center in Mexico City as well as the rest of the country of Mexico...
and XEQ Radio, but later became a singer and recording artist. According to Velázquez herself, she was strongly influenced by Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Enrique Granados
Enrique Granados
Enrique Granados y Campiña was a Spanish pianist and composer of classical music. His music is in a uniquely Spanish style and, as such, representative of musical nationalism...
.
Velázquez also was elected to the Mexican Congress, served as president for SACM (Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico), and was vice-president of CISAC (International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies). She died of respiratory problems in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. Velázquez had been in hospital since she suffered a fall in November 2004.
External links
- Obituary in New York Times. January 30, 2005.