- Alexandre Rey Colaço
Alexandre Jorge Maria Idalécio Raimundo Rey Colaço (
Tangier ,Morocco , April 30th, 1854 -Lisbon , September 11th, 1928) was a Portuguese pianist of a French father and Spanish-Portuguese mother. [ [http://www.geneall.net/P/per_page.php?id=131641 Geneall] ]Life
He studied piano at the
Madrid Conservatory and gave his first performance in Lisbon in 1881. A certain Count of Daupias was present and so impressed that he offered Colaço a trip toParis to continue his musical education. From there he moved on toBerlin to study at theBerlin Hochschule für Musik under Barth and Rudorff (piano) and Harertel and Bargiel (composition). Due to his outstanding talent, he was invited to teach piano at this school, whose director was the famous violinistJoseph Joachim , a great friend of Schumann andBrahms .In 1887, Colaço returned to Lisbon and became a Portuguese citizen. He was appointed piano professor at the Conservatory of Music and contributed largely to the cultural activities of this country as a performer, pedagogue and composer. He taught music to the young portughese Prince D. Manuel (later
Manuel II of Portugal )Compositions
His works are among the first to incorporate popular themes of a Portuguese national character. These works include pieces for the piano: the collection of
Fado s, the reference point of his personal creative style,Bailarico , Jota, Malagueña and "Pequenas Peças"; for piano and voice: "Cantigas de Portugal".He also wrote a book, "De Música", a consequence of his experience and reflections about musical art.
References
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