Municipal Band of Barcelona
Encyclopedia
The Municipal Band of Barcelona is a music institution with a long tradition, which was founded in 1886.
.
In fact, Barcelona
had already a group of musicians that followed the city authorities since the Middle Ages
. The trumpet
s and the drum
s had the city shield
. They were part of the retinue of the Barcelona
City Hall. On some special occasions, the Barcelona
City Hall paid for some minstrels, whose function was more recreational for the citizens.
Since 1837 there had been many attempts to constitute it as an independent formation, but it did not happen until 1886.
leaded this institution and in 1915 he achieved that the institution did not depend any more on the School Music of the city (the present Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona
). During this period many important musicians and composers visited and even conducted the band, such as Richard Strauss
, Igor Stravinski, Maurice Ravel
, among others.
, the Greek festival, the National Day of Catalonia, Santa Eulàlia, The Concerts in l'Auditori
, among others.
It also offers regularly School Auditions. This activity has the aim of bringing the classical music to the children (around 9000 children take part in this activity every year).
Beginnings
The Municipal Band of Barcelona had a great social significance when it was founded. Its main aim was to bring the great authors to the ordinary people. During that time only the members of the upper social classes had access to the artArt
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
.
In fact, Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
had already a group of musicians that followed the city authorities since the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. The trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
s and the drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s had the city shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
. They were part of the retinue of the Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
City Hall. On some special occasions, the Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
City Hall paid for some minstrels, whose function was more recreational for the citizens.
Since 1837 there had been many attempts to constitute it as an independent formation, but it did not happen until 1886.
Important period
In the beginning of the 20th century, it became a very important institution. During this period, Joan Lamote de Grignon i BocquetJoan Lamote de Grignon
Joan Lamote de Grignon i Bocquet , was a Catalan Spanish pianist, composer and orchestra director.Joan Lamote de Grignon was born and died in Barcelona, the son of parents of French descent Lluis Lamote de Grignon and Elena Bocquet. In 1911 he founded the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, of which he...
leaded this institution and in 1915 he achieved that the institution did not depend any more on the School Music of the city (the present Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona
Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona
The Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona is a teaching institution, which is devoted to music education. The present ownership belongs to the Barcelona City Hall.-History:...
). During this period many important musicians and composers visited and even conducted the band, such as Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
, Igor Stravinski, Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, among others.
Present time
Nowadays the Municipal Band is an essential part of the festive activities of the city. It takes part in all the important events of the city, such as La MercèLa Mercè
La Mercè is the annual festival of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It has been an official city holiday since 1871, when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè in...
, the Greek festival, the National Day of Catalonia, Santa Eulàlia, The Concerts in l'Auditori
L'Auditori
L'Auditori is a modern building of 42,000 square metres designed by the architect Rafael Moneo, opened on 22 March 1999, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, among others.
It also offers regularly School Auditions. This activity has the aim of bringing the classical music to the children (around 9000 children take part in this activity every year).
Conductors
These are the conductors that have leaded this institution along its history:- Josep Rodoreda i Santigós (1886–1896)
- Antoni Nicolau i Parera (1896–1897)
- Celestí Sadurní i Gurguí (1897–1910)
- Cristòfol Casanyé (1910–1914)
- Joan Lamote de Grignon i BocquetJoan Lamote de GrignonJoan Lamote de Grignon i Bocquet , was a Catalan Spanish pianist, composer and orchestra director.Joan Lamote de Grignon was born and died in Barcelona, the son of parents of French descent Lluis Lamote de Grignon and Elena Bocquet. In 1911 he founded the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, of which he...
(1914–1939) - Ramon Bonell (1939–1957)
- Joan Pich i Santasusana (1957–1967)
- Josep González (1967–1969)
- Enric Garcés Garcés (1969–1979)
- Francesc Elias i Prunera (1979–1980)
- Albert Argudo Lloret (1980–1993)
- Josep Mut (1993–2007)
- Joan Lluís Moraleda i Perxachs (2007–2008, Associate Conductor)
- Jordi Moraleda i Perxachs (2007–2008, Associate Conductor)
- Rafael Grimal Olmos (2007–2008, Associate Conductor)
- Salvador Brotons i Soler (2008-), with the collaboration of Marta Carretón.