Rodrigo Prats
Encyclopedia
Rodrigo Prats was a Cuban composer
, violin
ist, pianist
and orchestral director. The son of a musician, Jaime Prats
, Rodrigo began to study music at the age of nine. He studied at first under his father, then under Emilio Reynosa, and finished later at the Conservatorio Orbón.
When only thirteen he played violin in the Cuban Jazz Band, the first band of its type in Cuba, which was directed by his father. At about the same time he joined the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Habana, founded by Gonzalo Roig
. Prats' first work as director of an orchestra was for the theatrical company of Arquímedes Pous; later he fronted many other groups. He was the founder of the radio band Orquesta Sinfónica del Aire, the Orquesta de Cámara del Círculo de Bellas Artes. He was deputy director of the Orquesta Filharmónica de la Habana, musical director of RHC Cadena Azul, and of Canal 4 de TV. Prats was the founder and director at the Teatro Jorge Anckermann
, and the musical director of the Teatro Lírico de La Habana.
Prets composed Una rosa de Francia, a famous criolla-bolero
, at 15, and many other pieces, including Aquella noche, Espero de ti, Creo que te quiero and El tamalero. He wrote the music for sainete
s (short comedies), such as El bravo and Soledad, and zarzuelas, such as Amalia Batista, El pirata, Guamá, La perla del Caribe and María Belén Chacón. It is probably this work for the Cuban musical theatre
for which he is best remembered.
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...
, 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....
ist, 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:...
and orchestral director. The son of a musician, Jaime Prats
Jaime Prats
Jaime Prats was a Cuban flautist, composer and orchestral director...
, Rodrigo began to study music at the age of nine. He studied at first under his father, then under Emilio Reynosa, and finished later at the Conservatorio Orbón.
When only thirteen he played violin in the Cuban Jazz Band, the first band of its type in Cuba, which was directed by his father. At about the same time he joined the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Habana, founded by Gonzalo Roig
Gonzalo Roig
Gonzalo Roig was a Cuban musician, composer, musical director and founder of several orchestras. He was a pioneer of the symphonic movement in Cuba....
. Prats' first work as director of an orchestra was for the theatrical company of Arquímedes Pous; later he fronted many other groups. He was the founder of the radio band Orquesta Sinfónica del Aire, the Orquesta de Cámara del Círculo de Bellas Artes. He was deputy director of the Orquesta Filharmónica de la Habana, musical director of RHC Cadena Azul, and of Canal 4 de TV. Prats was the founder and director at the Teatro Jorge Anckermann
Jorge Anckermann
Jorge Anckermann was a Cuban pianist, composer and bandleader. He started in music at eight with his father. At ten he was able to substitute in a trio...
, and the musical director of the Teatro Lírico de La Habana.
Prets composed Una rosa de Francia, a famous criolla-bolero
Bolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
, at 15, and many other pieces, including Aquella noche, Espero de ti, Creo que te quiero and El tamalero. He wrote the music for sainete
Sainete
A sainete was a popular Spanish comic opera piece, a one-act dramatic vignette, with music. It was often placed at the end of entertainments, or between other types of performance. It was vernacular in style, and used scenes of low life. Active from the 18th to 20th centuries, it superseded the...
s (short comedies), such as El bravo and Soledad, and zarzuelas, such as Amalia Batista, El pirata, Guamá, La perla del Caribe and María Belén Chacón. It is probably this work for the Cuban musical theatre
Cuban musical theatre
Cuban musical theatre has its own distinctive style and history. From the 18th century to modern times, popular theatrical performances included music and often dance as well. Many composers and musicians had their careers launched in the theatres, and many compositions got their first airing on...
for which he is best remembered.