Jose Castañeda

Jose Castañeda (1898-1983)

Jose Castaneda a Guatemalan composer, conductor and theorist, founded an orchestra in Guatemala City called Ars Nova, in 1930. This group was later designated by the president and dictator Jorge Ubico as the official state orchestra. In 1936, it took the name Orquesta Progresista.  He served as director of the National Conservatory, where his instruction influenced the younger generation.  In 1967, he presented at numerous congresses in Europe and North America, and also published his book Las polaridades del ritmo y del sonido. He was gifted as a composer with easy melodic invention and technical proficiency. He composed famous works such as La chalana, Imágenes de nacimiento, and La serpiente emplumada.

Discography:

• 1933- Imágenes de nacimiento opera, modal harmonies and other neo-classical devices.
• 1922- La chalana satirical song
• 1960- La serpiente emplumada ballet, 2 string quartets

Bibliography: Oxford Music Online Retrieved from: http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.ezproxy.lib.umb.edu/subscriber/article/grove/music/47495?q=Jose+Castaneda&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit