Ricardo Castillo

Ricardo Castillo (1891-1966)

Guatemalan composer, Ricardo Castillo was born in a rural town in Guatemala.  Castillo published his first pieces of music in Paris, France where he was offered a chance to study the violin.  In 1918, he married the pianist Georgette Contoux, and four years later moved to Guatemala.  From 1922 to 1960, he taught music history, counterpoint, composition, and orchestration at the National Conservatory of Guatemala City.  Castillo invigorated the development of Guatemalan musical nationalism.  His work is often inspired by Guatemalan folk music. He drew his inspirations from the literary world of the legendary Mayan past.  Impressionism and neoclassicism, a trend from Europe also showed influence in his music.  Castillo's work includes approximately two dozen piano works, including collections of pieces and multi-movement compositions.  Castillo experimented with abstract technical and stylistic music in his three chamber works, but avoided serial technique.  He composed music for the theatre,  which includes two ballets; "Estelas de Tikal" and " Paal Kaba", plus ten orchestral works reflect a strong interest in Guatemalan indigenous cultures. 


 Bibliography:
http://www.oxfordmusiconli
ne.comezproxy.lib.umb.edu/
subscriber/article/grove/mus
ic/05141?q=Ricardo+Castillo&
amp ;search+quick&pos
+1&start+1#firsthit