Santiago Masarnau Fernández
Encyclopedia
Santiago Masarnau Fernández, (also known as Santiago Fernández de Masarnau or Santiago [de] Masarnau), (Madrid
9 December 1805 - Madrid 14 December 1882),was a Spanish
pianist
, composer
and religious
activist.
before King Ferdinand VII (including some of his own compositions) when he was only ten years old.
Following the family’s eviction from the Court, Santiago abandoned his original intentions of a career in engineering, and went to study music in Paris
. He may have been influenced in the decision to leave Spain by political sympathies with the liberal insurgency that sought to depose the King in these years. For twenty years Masarnau divided his life between Paris, London
and Madrid. In both Paris and London he was close to the Spanish composer José Melchor Gomis (1791–1836), himself a Spanish rebel living in exile. Gomis, who wrote some successful operas in Paris and got some respectful reviews from Hector Berlioz
, was also active in London, and perhaps introduced Masarnau to London musical life. As a consequence of his studies and work in Paris and London, Masarnau became acquainted with Johann Baptist Cramer
, Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny
, Rossini, Paganini, and, it appears, Felix Mendelssohn
, who is said to have admired Masarnau’s nocturne, Spleen. Three Scherzini of Masarnau’s were published in London in 1828, at a time when Gomis was also publishing Spanish-style keyboard pieces there. Masarnau also became a friend of the English pianist and teacher Henry Ibbot Field (1797–1848), and around 1834 became a close friend of Charles-Valentin Alkan
(as evidenced by an exchange of letters extending over forty years). Alkan dedicated to Masarnau his 'Trois études de bravoure' op. 16 of 1837. While in Paris Masarnau became, at Rossini’s recommendation, the music teacher of the daughters of the Infante Prince Francisco de Paula
.
in the Parisian parish of St. Louis d’Antin. The Society had been founded in 1833 by a charismatic 20-year old lawyer, Frédéric Ozanam
(who was beatified
in 1997), and was conceived as a Christian
reaction to Saint-Simonism (which was attractive to many musicians including Ferdinand Hiller
and Félicien David). The Society was dedicated to improving the lot of the poor; and although a lay
Catholic organisation, it had a strictly male membership.
When Masarnau returned permanently to Spain in 1843 he remained concerned with music, teaching in his brother’s school, and contributing to a number of critical and artistic journals. But his main work was the establishment of the Society in his own country. This proved however not to be straightforward – the Spaniards were suspicious of this ‘foreign’ organisation and of its apparently ‘secular’ nature. Eventually in 1850 the Society in Spain was formally founded with the support of Pope Gregory XVI
, after which it grew dramatically. Its success apparently aroused some political opposition - in 1868 the Society was forcibly dissolved by the Spanish state and its property seized. In 1874 the Society in Spain was allowed to re-establish itself, and Masarnau continued to lead it until his death in 1882.
He was made a candidate for beatification in 1999.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
9 December 1805 - Madrid 14 December 1882),was a 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....
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:...
, 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...
and religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
activist.
Early life
Masarnau was born in Madrid 1805 to a family with close connections to the Spanish aristocracy and court. Life at Court was highly dependent on royal favour, and Masarnau's father, Santiago Masarnau Torres, who held a secretarial post, was obliged for unclear reasons to quit his privileges as a Gentleman of the Household in the 1820s. However, his son Santiago proved to be a musical prodigy and was able in his childhood to participate in the musical life of the Escorial, performing on the organOrgan (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
before King Ferdinand VII (including some of his own compositions) when he was only ten years old.
Following the family’s eviction from the Court, Santiago abandoned his original intentions of a career in engineering, and went to study music in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He may have been influenced in the decision to leave Spain by political sympathies with the liberal insurgency that sought to depose the King in these years. For twenty years Masarnau divided his life between Paris, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Madrid. In both Paris and London he was close to the Spanish composer José Melchor Gomis (1791–1836), himself a Spanish rebel living in exile. Gomis, who wrote some successful operas in Paris and got some respectful reviews from Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
, was also active in London, and perhaps introduced Masarnau to London musical life. As a consequence of his studies and work in Paris and London, Masarnau became acquainted with Johann Baptist Cramer
Johann Baptist Cramer
Johann Baptist Cramer was an English musician of German origin. He was the son of Wilhelm Cramer, a famous London violinist and musical conductor, one of a numerous family who were identified with the progress of music during the 18th and 19th centuries.-Biography:Johann Baptist Cramer was born in...
, Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny
Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny
Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny was a French composer and a member of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts .He is considered alongside André Grétry and François-André Danican Philidor to have been the founder of a new musical genre, the opéra comique, laying a path for other French composers such as...
, Rossini, Paganini, and, it appears, Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
, who is said to have admired Masarnau’s nocturne, Spleen. Three Scherzini of Masarnau’s were published in London in 1828, at a time when Gomis was also publishing Spanish-style keyboard pieces there. Masarnau also became a friend of the English pianist and teacher Henry Ibbot Field (1797–1848), and around 1834 became a close friend of Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French composer and one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of his day. His attachment to his Jewish origins is displayed both in his life and his work. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of six, earning many awards, and as an adult became a famous virtuoso...
(as evidenced by an exchange of letters extending over forty years). Alkan dedicated to Masarnau his 'Trois études de bravoure' op. 16 of 1837. While in Paris Masarnau became, at Rossini’s recommendation, the music teacher of the daughters of the Infante Prince Francisco de Paula
Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain
Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain was the youngest son of Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma.-Marriage and children:...
.
Dedication to religion
In 1838 Masarnau had a profound religious experience which was to transform his life. As a consequence he determined to devote himself to the poor. In 1839 he came into contact with the Society of Saint Vincent de PaulSociety of Saint Vincent de Paul
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international Roman Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need. Active in England & Wales since 1844, today it continues to address social and material need in all...
in the Parisian parish of St. Louis d’Antin. The Society had been founded in 1833 by a charismatic 20-year old lawyer, Frédéric Ozanam
Frédéric Ozanam
Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam was a French scholar. He founded with fellow students the Conference of Charity, later known as the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul...
(who was beatified
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
in 1997), and was conceived as a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
reaction to Saint-Simonism (which was attractive to many musicians including Ferdinand Hiller
Ferdinand Hiller
Ferdinand Hiller was a German composer, conductor, writer and music-director.-Biography:Ferdinand Hiller was born to a wealthy Jewish family in Frankfurt am Main, where his father Justus was a merchant in English textiles – a business eventually continued by Ferdinand’s brother Joseph...
and Félicien David). The Society was dedicated to improving the lot of the poor; and although a lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
Catholic organisation, it had a strictly male membership.
‘The rules adopted were very simple; it was forbidden to discuss politics or personal concerns at the meetings, and it was settled that the work should be the service of God in the persons of the poor, whom the members were to visit at their own dwellings and assist by every means in their power. The service of the members was to embrace, without distinction of creed or race, the poor, the sick, the infirm, and the unemployed.’Masarnau devoted himself to the Society and became treasurer of the St. Louis d’Antin chapter. During this period he turned more to the composition of Church music than of salon items.
When Masarnau returned permanently to Spain in 1843 he remained concerned with music, teaching in his brother’s school, and contributing to a number of critical and artistic journals. But his main work was the establishment of the Society in his own country. This proved however not to be straightforward – the Spaniards were suspicious of this ‘foreign’ organisation and of its apparently ‘secular’ nature. Eventually in 1850 the Society in Spain was formally founded with the support of Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI , born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846...
, after which it grew dramatically. Its success apparently aroused some political opposition - in 1868 the Society was forcibly dissolved by the Spanish state and its property seized. In 1874 the Society in Spain was allowed to re-establish itself, and Masarnau continued to lead it until his death in 1882.
He was made a candidate for beatification in 1999.
Sources
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Spain website (in Spanish)
- Federico Suárez, Santiago Masarnau y las Conferencias de San Vicente de Paúl, 1994. (un Googlebooks)
- Catholic Encyclopaedia, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Andres Ruiz Tarazona, Masarnau Fernandez, Santiago de, on Fundacion Juan March website (in Spanish)