Gilardi, Gilardo (1889–1963)

Gilardo Gilardi (b. 25 May 1889; d. 16 January 1963) Argentine composer and teacher. Born in San Fernando, Gilardi began his musical studies with his father; later he studied with the composer Pablo Berutti. He was a founding member of the Grupo Renovación (1929), an adviser to the Argentine National Orchestra and the National Cultural Commission, and a member of the Argentine Cinematography Academy. In his early works, Gilardi composed in the nationalist style, but as he matured he turned to more sophisticated compositional languages, as evidenced by the universalist style of his religious works, which include Misa de requiem (1914/1918), Te Deum (1936), Misa de Gloria (1936), and Stabat Mater (1952) all for organ, orchestra, and chorus. He composed two operas, as well as symphonic music, chamber works, music for children's chorus, vocal and piano works, and film and stage music. His opera Ilse (1919) premiered at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, 13 July 1923, and El gaucho con botas nuevas (1936), a symphonic humorous piece, premiered in the United States under the baton of José Iturbi. Gilardi was a music critic and lecturer, and an excellent teacher. He was professor of harmony, counterpoint, and composition at the National Conservatory in Buenos Aires and at the School of Fine Arts of the National University of La Plata, and a juror in musical competitions. He died in Buenos Aires.

See alsoMusic: Art Music .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Composers of the Americas, vol. 12 (1966).

Jorge Oscar Pickenhayn, Gilardo Gilardi (1966); New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, vol. 7 (1980).

Additional Bibliography

García Morillo, Roberto. Estudios sobre mú sica argentina. Buenos Aires: Ediciones Culturales Argentinas, Secretaría de Cultura, Ministerio de Educación y Justicia, 1984.

                                        Susana Salgado