Tribute from one master to another: pianist Antonio Baciero presents in a book a vision of composer Fernando Remacha staff
The University of Navarra publishes a volume that gathers new testimonies and original documents about one of the most relevant Spanish musicians of the 20th century on the 125th anniversary of his birth.
FotoManuelCastells
/From left to right, Albert Recasens, Berta Moreno, Itziar Larrinaga, Antonio Baciero, Margarita Remacha, Sandra Myers and Alfonso Barandiarán.
25 | 04 | 2023
" Antonio Baciero 's biography of Fernando Remacha is a great contribution from one of the great pianists of this country to a crucial figure of 20th century music. It means the performance of an important tribute from one master to another master". This was assured by Albert Recasens, researcher of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), during the presentation of the book Remacha, maestro inolvidable (Libargo), published by the University of Navarra.
In the volume, Baciero gathers new testimonies from the memory of the man who was his teacher, as well as unpublished documents -such as letters-, all of it structured by critical reflections on his figure.
The publication is promoted by group 'Vínculos, creatividad cultura' of the ICS and has been possible thanks to the support of the Fundación Gondra Barandiarán. It was presented at the City of Music in Pamplona, together with the Pablo Sarasate Professional Conservatory of Music and the Higher Conservatory of Music of Navarra.
The speakers were Albert Recasens, researcher of the ICS; Itziar Larrinaga, director of the collection 'Música crítica. Musicología', of the publishing house Libargo; Berta Moreno, head of the department of Composition, Musicology and Music Theory of the Professional Conservatory; Sandra Myers, head of the department of Musicology of the Conservatory; and Antonio Baciero. The ceremony was closed by Margarita Remacha, daughter of the composer.
Albert Recasens reflected on the relevance of the figure of the maestro in the history of music, as a transmitter of tradition. Berta Moreno focused on Remacha's role core topic in the creation of the Pablo Sarasate Conservatory and how he materialized his pedagogical vision. Likewise, Sandra Myers referred to the challenge of musicology to achieve the dissemination, knowledge and understanding of Remacha's music and that of other great composers of his generation.
Finally, Antonio Baciero and Margarita Remacha recalled some important episodes in the life of the honoree, both his relationship with other leading Spanish intellectuals during his time in Madrid and the bequest he left behind when he returned to Navarra after the Civil War. Margarita recalled how much her father enjoyed his young disciples and Baciero emphasized that "he transmitted without the will to teach".
50 years of a tribute at the University of Navarre
Also that day, a recital was held at position by Antonio Baciero at the Museo Universidad de Navarra, under the title degree scroll Ocho siglos de música navarra (Eight centuries of Navarrese music). Through this piano recital, the performer showed the multiple didactic aspects of Remacha. It ended with one of the most emblematic works of the maestro's time in Tudela, the Sonatina of 1948.
Fernando Remacha was an outstanding composer and pedagogue from Navarre who played a fundamental role in 20th century Spanish music. Throughout his career, degree program, he received numerous awards and prizes, including the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts in 1986. In 1973 -50 years ago now- he received a tribute at the University of Navarra for his extensive and fruitful work. The celebration included a concert at the campus and another at the Teatro Gayarre and concluded with an academic ceremony at the University's classroom Magna presided over by Francisco Ponz, then President.
