GINASTERA, Alberto
b Buenos Aires, 11 April 1916
d Geneva, 25 June 1983, aged sixty-seven
He started piano lessons at the age of seven, and at age twelve he went to Williams Conservatory, graduating in 1935. From 1936 to 1938 he was at the National Conservatory, graduating with the highest honours, and in 1941 became professor of composition there. In 1945 he was dismissed from his chair at the National Military Academy because of Peron's rise to power, and he went to the USA, staying until 1947. He then journeyed widely in America and Europe, returning to Argentina in 1955 when Peron was overthrown. In 1958 he was made dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the Argentine Catholic University. In 1968 he went again to live in the USA and in 1970 went to Europe settling in Geneva. He has had many commissions, been granted many honours, and held many administrative posts. He destroyed most of his very early works.
1934-6 (18-20)
Panambi, ballet
1937 (21)
Danzas Argentinas, for piano
1938 (22)
Two Songs with piano
Songs of Tucumán, for voice, flute, harp, violin and drums
Psalm, for clarinet, chorus, boys' chorus and orchestra
1940 (24)
Three Pieces for piano
Malambo, for piano
1941 (25)
Estancia, ballet
1943 (27)
Overture to Faust
Five Popular Argentine Songs, for voice and piano
Las Horas de una Estancia, for voice and piano
1944 (28)
Twelve American Preludes, for piano
1945 (29)
Duo for flute and oboe
1946 (30)
Lamentation of the Prophet Jeremiah, for chorus
Suite of Creole Dances, for piano
1947 (31)
Pampeana No 1, for violin and piano
Ollantay, three symphonic movements
Toccata, Villancico and Fugue for organ
Rondo on Argentine Children's Songs, for piano
1948 (32)
String Quartet No 1
1950 (34)
Pampeana No 2, for cello and piano
1952 (36)
Piano Sonata No 1
1953 (37)
Variations Concertante for chamber orchestra
1954 (38)
Pampeana No 3, pastoral symphony
1956 (40)
Harp Concerto
1958 (42)
String Quartet No 2
1960 (44)
Cantata Drammatico No 1
1961 (45)
Piano Concerto No 1
1963 (47)
Piano Quintet
Violin Concerto
1963-4 (47-8)
Don Rodrigo, opera
1964 (48)
Cantata Drammatico No 2, Bomarzo
1965 (49)
Concerto for strings
1966-7 (50-1)
Bomarzo, opera
1967 (51)
Symphonic Studies for orchestra
1968 (52)
Cello Concerto No 1
1971 (55)
Cantata Drammatico No 3, Milena
Beatrix Cenci, opera
1972 (56)
Piano Concerto No 2
1973 (57)
String Quartet No 3
Punena No 1, for flute
Toccata for piano
Serenata for baritone, cello and nine instruments
1974 (58)
Turbai ad Passionem Gregorianum, for soli, chorus and orchestra
1975 (59)
Popol Vuh, for orchestra
1976 (60)
punena No 2, for cello
On a Theme of Pau Casals, for string quintet and strings
Guitar Sonata
1977 (61)
Barabbas, opera
1980 (64)
Iubilum, 'Celebracion Sinfonica', for orchestra
Fanfare for four trumpets
Variations and Toccata on Aurora lucis rutilat, for organ
1980-1 (64-5)
Cello Concerto No 2
1981 (65)
Piano Sonata No 2
1982 (66)
Piano Sonata No 3
Ginastera also wrote eleven film scores, and six incidental scores.