Gonzalo Roig
Encyclopedia
Gonzalo Roig was a Cuba
n musician, composer, musical director and founder of several orchestras. He was a pioneer of the symphonic movement in Cuba.
In 1902 he began to study piano
, music theory
and solfège
and then later graduated in music studies at the Havana Conservatory. In 1907 he played part, as a pianist
, in an ensemble (trio
), and thus started his very active career in music
, composed his first musical piece Voice of misfortune for piano and solo voice. Two years later he began playing violin
at the Marti
Theater in Havana. In 1917 he traveled to Mexico, and worked there briefly, returning to Cuba the same year. In 1922 he was co-founder of the Symphony Orchestra in Havana, of which he become music director.
In 1927 he was appointed director of the Municipal Music Band of Havana. During his tenure as director (he held the position until his death) he made countless contributions to the Cuban music. In 1929 he founded the Orchestra of Ignacio Cervantes which, a year later, was invited by the Pan American Union to lead a series of concerts in The United States of America. In 1931, while participating in the creation of the National Theatre, he composed and premiered (next year) his zarzuela
, Cecilia Valdés
, a typical example of the Cuban lyric theatre.
In 1938 he founded the National Opera in Havana, which he directed for a few years. He traveled frequently and gave performances in many parts of the world. He founded the Society of Cuban Authors, the National Federation of Authors of Cuba, the National Union of Authors of Cuba and the National Society of Authors of Cuba.
Besides his Cecilia Valdés
he was the composer of many popular numbers, "Quiéreme Mucho" translated into English as "Yours
" among others.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n musician, composer, musical director and founder of several orchestras. He was a pioneer of the symphonic movement in Cuba.
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...
, music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
and solfège
Solfege
In music, solfège is a pedagogical solmization technique for the teaching of sight-singing in which each note of the score is sung to a special syllable, called a solfège syllable...
and then later graduated in music studies at the Havana Conservatory. In 1907 he played part, as a pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, in an ensemble (trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
), and thus started his very active career in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, composed his first musical piece Voice of misfortune for piano and solo voice. Two years later he began playing violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
at the Marti
Martí
Marti or Martí may refer to:Surname of people:*Agustín Farabundo Martí, Salvadoran revolutionary*Berthe Marti, French scholar of mediaeval Latin*Debbie Marti, English high jumper*Enriqueta Martí, Spanish "witch"*José Luis Martí, Spanish footballer...
Theater in Havana. In 1917 he traveled to Mexico, and worked there briefly, returning to Cuba the same year. In 1922 he was co-founder of the Symphony Orchestra in Havana, of which he become music director.
In 1927 he was appointed director of the Municipal Music Band of Havana. During his tenure as director (he held the position until his death) he made countless contributions to the Cuban music. In 1929 he founded the Orchestra of Ignacio Cervantes which, a year later, was invited by the Pan American Union to lead a series of concerts in The United States of America. In 1931, while participating in the creation of the National Theatre, he composed and premiered (next year) his zarzuela
Zarzuela
Zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance...
, Cecilia Valdés
Cecilia Valdés
Cecilia Valdés is both a novel by the Cuban Cirilo Villaverde , and a zarzuela based on the novel. It is a work of importance for its quality, and its revelation of the interaction of classes and races in Cuba.- The novel :...
, a typical example of the Cuban lyric theatre.
In 1938 he founded the National Opera in Havana, which he directed for a few years. He traveled frequently and gave performances in many parts of the world. He founded the Society of Cuban Authors, the National Federation of Authors of Cuba, the National Union of Authors of Cuba and the National Society of Authors of Cuba.
Besides his Cecilia Valdés
Cecilia Valdés
Cecilia Valdés is both a novel by the Cuban Cirilo Villaverde , and a zarzuela based on the novel. It is a work of importance for its quality, and its revelation of the interaction of classes and races in Cuba.- The novel :...
he was the composer of many popular numbers, "Quiéreme Mucho" translated into English as "Yours
Yours (Quiéreme Mucho)
"Yours" is a popular song. The music was written by Gonzalo Roig with the lyrics by Albert Gamse and Jack Sherr. The song was published in 1931. The song is based on a Spanish language song, "Quiéreme Mucho", and the original Spanish lyrics were written by Augustin Rodriguez.-Recorded versions:Hit...
" among others.