Patricio Ballagas

Patricio Balagas Palacio (Camaguey, 17 March 1879 – Havana, 15 February 1920) was an important innovator in trova music. [Orovio, Helio 2004. Cuban music from A to Z. Revised by Sue Steward. ISBN 0822331861 A biographical dictionary of Cuban music, artists, composers, groups and terms. Duke University, Durham NC; Tumi, Bath. p23] His compositions were written in 4/4 time when most others were composing in 2/4 time; and more important, he invented 'double text', where the melody is superimposed over the lead vocal, which then becomes the second voice. He introduced contracanto into the trova form, so that the second voice changes from being intimately connected to the first voice to becoming a melodic and harmonic expression with its own identity. [Further discussion of such developments can be found in: León, Argeliers 1984. "Del canto y el tiempo". La Habana.]

The historian of trova, Dulcilla Canizares, asks the question "Por qué no, Patricio Ballagas? [Canizares, Dulcila 1995. "La trova tradicional". 2nd ed, La Habana. p64] She thinks he should rank as one of the top five of trova. His short life probably militated against greater recognition of his talent. "Timidez", written in 1914, is his most famous number.

References