Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Encyclopedia
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez (November 16, 1843 – July 1, 1883), was Puerto Rico
's first renowned classical and danza
composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers.
, to a French
father and a Puerto Rican
mother. San Juan was the city where he first began his musical studies. Among his first teachers were Jose Cabrizas and Domingo Delgado. Tavarez became an accomplished pianist
at an early age. He was able to enroll and study music in the Music Conservatory of Paris at the age of 15 with a scholarship granted by "The Economic Society of Friends of Puerto Rico" (La Sociedad Economica Amigos del Pais). Tavarez studied under the guidance of Auber and D'Albert. While in France
, Tavarez suffered a stroke which left his hand partially paralyzed.
Tavarez returned to Puerto Rico because of his health problems. He settled down in Ponce
where he gave piano lessons. He was able to overcome his health problems and began to put on musical concerts of his compositions.
, the Rhapsody
: Souvener de Puerto Rico, and his Danzas
: Recuerdos de Antaño (Remembrance of Yesteryear) and what is considered his greatest work, the danza Margarita. The music created by Tavarez would always be recognized as an integral part of Puerto Rican culture. Tavarez is known as the "Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas". Among his most distinguished disciples was the composer Juan Morel Campos
. His daughter Elisa Tavárez
would also become an accomplished pianist. Manuel Gregorio Tavarez died on July 1, 1883 in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico
.
Rendencion (Redemption)
with the naming of public buildings and institutions after him. In San Juan, there is a theater named after him. His music can still be appreciated in concerts today. In his native Ponce, he is recognized at the Ponce Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
's first renowned classical and danza
Music of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers.
Early years
Tavarez was born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, to a French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
father and a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
mother. San Juan was the city where he first began his musical studies. Among his first teachers were Jose Cabrizas and Domingo Delgado. Tavarez became an accomplished 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:...
at an early age. He was able to enroll and study music in the Music Conservatory of Paris at the age of 15 with a scholarship granted by "The Economic Society of Friends of Puerto Rico" (La Sociedad Economica Amigos del Pais). Tavarez studied under the guidance of Auber and D'Albert. While in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Tavarez suffered a stroke which left his hand partially paralyzed.
Tavarez returned to Puerto Rico because of his health problems. He settled down in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
where he gave piano lessons. He was able to overcome his health problems and began to put on musical concerts of his compositions.
"Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"
Tavarez is considered to be Puerto Rico's first Romanticism era composer. He also composed music of other genres as well. Among his best known works was the funeral March: Rendencion (Redemption) dedicated to honor the memory of José CampecheJosé Campeche
José Campeche , born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the first known Puerto Rican visual artist and considered by many as one of the best rococo artists in the Americas.-Early years:...
, the Rhapsody
Rhapsody (music)
A rhapsody in music is a one-movement work that is episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, featuring a range of highly contrasted moods, colour and tonality. An air of spontaneous inspiration and a sense of improvisation make it freer in form than a set of variations...
: Souvener de Puerto Rico, and his Danzas
Music of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
: Recuerdos de Antaño (Remembrance of Yesteryear) and what is considered his greatest work, the danza Margarita. The music created by Tavarez would always be recognized as an integral part of Puerto Rican culture. Tavarez is known as the "Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas". Among his most distinguished disciples was the composer Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos , sometimes erroneously spelled Juan Morell Campos, was a Puerto Rican composer, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza to its highest level.-Early years:...
. His daughter Elisa Tavárez
Elisa Tavárez
Elisa Tavárez was a Puerto Rican pianist of international renown. She was the daughter of the "Father of the danza" Manuel G. Tavárez. Elisa Tavárez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She is recognized in Ponce at the Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens....
would also become an accomplished pianist. Manuel Gregorio Tavarez died on July 1, 1883 in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
.
Selection of Danza's by Tavarez
The following is a list of some of Tavarez's Danza's:- La Sensitiva (The sensitive one)
- Margarita
- Recuerdos de Antaño (Remembrance of Yesteryear)
Rendencion (Redemption)
- Souvener de Puerto Rico
- Un Recuerdito (A small remembrance)
Honors and recognitions
Tavarez has been honored by the Government of Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
with the naming of public buildings and institutions after him. In San Juan, there is a theater named after him. His music can still be appreciated in concerts today. In his native Ponce, he is recognized at the Ponce Park of the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- French immigration to Puerto RicoFrench immigration to Puerto RicoThe French immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of the economic and political situations which occurred in various places such as Louisiana , Saint-Domingue and in Europe....