Arturo Somohano
Encyclopedia
Arturo Somohano was a musical composer
and the director of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra, which is now named after him.
, had always been musically inclined and as a young child had learned to play the piano
. He loved classical music and when he learned musical composition and harmony at the Fransician Chapel, he felt inspired to write music in a classical style.
, Somohano entertained the U.S. Army troops by playing the piano and directing concerts at various military bases. His composition "Canciones de las Americas" (Songs of the Americas) became an iconic hymn in the Army. After the war, Somohano returned to Puerto Rico where he became the director of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra. During this period he also spearheaded the reconstruction of the Tapia Theater in San Juan which was in a state of abandanment.
By 1958, as Somohano's reputation as a conductor grew, so did the overseas demand for his services as an orchestra conductor. He did two tours which included presentations in Spain
, Germany
and the United States
.
Somohano celebrated his 100th concert as director in the 1960s in Madrid
, Spain
. He was bestowed with the "Cross of Isabel the Catholic" by the Spanish Parliament and was named Honorary Conductor of the Madrid Symphony Orchestra
. On January 13, 1969, Somohano was sworn in as Assembly Member of the City of San Juan.
composers Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
and Juan Morel Campos
. He also wrote the forwards for three musical reviews and the musical accompaniment for five theatrical works with the collaboration of Manuel Mendez Ballester
.
Amongst his compositions are:
He also recorded many other compositions, including:
on March 23, 1977. After his death, the San Juan Symphony Orchestra was renamed The Arturo Somohano Symphony Orchestra in his honour and is currently directed by Gualberto Capdeville. The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico
annually awards its most outstanding student with the Arturo Somohano Medal for Excellence in International Musical Achievement. San Juan has also honored Somohano's memory by naming a school and a plaza after him.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and the director of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra, which is now named after him.
Early years
Somohano, born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, had always been musically inclined and as a young child had learned to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. He loved classical music and when he learned musical composition and harmony at the Fransician Chapel, he felt inspired to write music in a classical style.
San Juan Symphony Orchestra
Upon the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Somohano entertained the U.S. Army troops by playing the piano and directing concerts at various military bases. His composition "Canciones de las Americas" (Songs of the Americas) became an iconic hymn in the Army. After the war, Somohano returned to Puerto Rico where he became the director of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra. During this period he also spearheaded the reconstruction of the Tapia Theater in San Juan which was in a state of abandanment.
By 1958, as Somohano's reputation as a conductor grew, so did the overseas demand for his services as an orchestra conductor. He did two tours which included presentations in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Somohano celebrated his 100th concert as director in the 1960s in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. He was bestowed with the "Cross of Isabel the Catholic" by the Spanish Parliament and was named Honorary Conductor of the Madrid Symphony Orchestra
Madrid Symphony Orchestra
The Madrid Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1903, is the oldest existing Spanish symphony orchestra not linked to an opera house in Spain.-History:...
. On January 13, 1969, Somohano was sworn in as Assembly Member of the City of San Juan.
Published the works
Somohano published the works of danzaMusic of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
composers Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez , was Puerto Rico's first renowned classical and danza composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers.-Early years:...
and Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos
Juan Morel Campos , sometimes erroneously spelled Juan Morell Campos, was a Puerto Rican composer, considered by many to be responsible for taking the genre of danza to its highest level.-Early years:...
. He also wrote the forwards for three musical reviews and the musical accompaniment for five theatrical works with the collaboration of Manuel Mendez Ballester
Manuel Méndez Ballester
Manuel Méndez Ballester , born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was a well-known writer who worked in journalism, radio broadcasting, television and teaching.- Life and career :...
.
Amongst his compositions are:
- "Recuerdos de Ponce" (Memories of Ponce),
- "Si Tu Supieras" (If You Only Knew),
- "Palma y Olivo" (Palms and Olives),
- "Esclavo Moderno" (Modern Slave) and
- "Vagando".
He also recorded many other compositions, including:
- "Danzas de Puerto Rico" (Danzas of Puerto Rico),
- "Aquí España" (Over Here, Spain) and
- "En Mi Viejo San Juan" (In My Old San Juan).
Legacy
Arturo Somohano died in Hato Rey, San JuanSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
on March 23, 1977. After his death, the San Juan Symphony Orchestra was renamed The Arturo Somohano Symphony Orchestra in his honour and is currently directed by Gualberto Capdeville. The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico
Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico
The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico is a public institution of higher learning located in the historic Miramar a town in San Juan, Puerto Rico...
annually awards its most outstanding student with the Arturo Somohano Medal for Excellence in International Musical Achievement. San Juan has also honored Somohano's memory by naming a school and a plaza after him.