Henri Miro
Encyclopedia
Henri Enrique Miro was a Canadian composer
/arranger
, conductor
, pianist
, and music critic of Catalan
birth. He was a pioneering conductor for Canadian radio and his works were performed in all of Montreal's major performance venues of the day. He is best known for his opera
s, although the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
did perform some of his symphonic music.
, Spain
, Miro began his musical education under Padre Domingo de Guzman at the monastery of Montserrat
. In 1895 he entered the Barcelona Conservatory where he was a pupil of Bienvenido Socias y Mercadé. After earning his diploma, he moved to France in 1898 where he was director of an opera troupe for four years.
, Fleurette Beauchamp, and Rafael Masella. In 1936 he was the first winner of the Société des concerts symphoniques de Montréal composition competition for his Scènes mauresques and the work was premiered by that orchestra at Plateau Hall under the direction of Wilfrid Pelletier
on 3 April 1936. He was also awarded the Jean Lallemand Prize
for that composition.
In 1904 Miro's Messe solennelle premiered at the Monument-National
and in 1914 his operetta
Le Roman de Suzon premiered at the Princess Theatre
. The latter worked was revived several times up through the late 1920s; including by the Société canadienne d'opérette in November 1925. In May 1915 his opera
A Million Dollar Girl was mounted for the first time in Montreal. He wrote a second operetta, Lolita, which premiered on CBC Radio
on 9 January 1944.
On 6 November 1928 Jean Goulet conducted the premiere of Miro's cantata
Vox populi, which was based on 14 French-Canadian themes, at the Monument-National. Goulet also conducted the premiere of Miro's Symphonie canadienne on 27 Oct 1931. His compositions also included suites, two cello concertos, works for solo violin, and several ballads, chansons, and songs for solo voice and for choir. Many of his works were published in La Lyre for which he also worked as a music critic for several years.
From 1916-1921 Miro served as music director of the Berliner Gramophone Company and later worked in the same capacity at the Compo Company Ltd. In 1930-1931 he conducted a radio program dedicated to opera and operetta for the CNR Radio
; notably leading performances of some of his own works. He later worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
conducting for the popular Spanish music programs Sevilliana and Mexicana. He also conducted operetta performances, orchestra concerts, and on recordings for His Master's Voice and Apex Records
in addition to his work as a radio conductor. He died in Montreal at the age of 70.
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...
/arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, and music critic of Catalan
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
birth. He was a pioneering conductor for Canadian radio and his works were performed in all of Montreal's major performance venues of the day. He is best known for his opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s, although the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
did perform some of his symphonic music.
Early life and education
Born in TarregaTarrega
Tarrega may refer to:* Francisco Tárrega, composer and guitarist* Tárrega, city in Catalonia...
, 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...
, Miro began his musical education under Padre Domingo de Guzman at the monastery of Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
. In 1895 he entered the Barcelona Conservatory where he was a pupil of Bienvenido Socias y Mercadé. After earning his diploma, he moved to France in 1898 where he was director of an opera troupe for four years.
Career
In 1902 Miro immigrated to Montreal where he was active as a composer/arranger, conductor, pianist, and pedagogue. His notable students included Lucio AgostiniLucio Agostini
Lucio Agostini was an Italian-born composer, arranger, and conductor who established his career in Canada.-Life:...
, Fleurette Beauchamp, and Rafael Masella. In 1936 he was the first winner of the Société des concerts symphoniques de Montréal composition competition for his Scènes mauresques and the work was premiered by that orchestra at Plateau Hall under the direction of Wilfrid Pelletier
Wilfrid Pelletier
Joseph Louis Wilfrid Pelletier , CC was a Canadian conductor, pianist, composer, and arts administrator. He was instrumental in establishing the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's first artistic director and conductor from 1935-1941...
on 3 April 1936. He was also awarded the Jean Lallemand Prize
Jean Lallemand
Jean Lallemand was a Canadian industrialist, philanthropist, and patron of the arts. In 1968 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 1979 he received a Canadian Music Council Medal....
for that composition.
In 1904 Miro's Messe solennelle premiered at the Monument-National
Monument-National
The Monument-National is a historic Canadian theatre located at 1182 Saint Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, Quebec. Erected between 1891 and 1894, it was originally the Cultural centre of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society.-Yiddish theatre:...
and in 1914 his operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
Le Roman de Suzon premiered at the Princess Theatre
Princess Theatre
The Princess Theatre was a joint venture between the Shubert Brothers , producer Ray Comstock, theatrical agent Elisabeth Marbury and actor-director Holbrook Blinn...
. The latter worked was revived several times up through the late 1920s; including by the Société canadienne d'opérette in November 1925. In May 1915 his opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
A Million Dollar Girl was mounted for the first time in Montreal. He wrote a second operetta, Lolita, which premiered on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
on 9 January 1944.
On 6 November 1928 Jean Goulet conducted the premiere of Miro's cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
Vox populi, which was based on 14 French-Canadian themes, at the Monument-National. Goulet also conducted the premiere of Miro's Symphonie canadienne on 27 Oct 1931. His compositions also included suites, two cello concertos, works for solo violin, and several ballads, chansons, and songs for solo voice and for choir. Many of his works were published in La Lyre for which he also worked as a music critic for several years.
From 1916-1921 Miro served as music director of the Berliner Gramophone Company and later worked in the same capacity at the Compo Company Ltd. In 1930-1931 he conducted a radio program dedicated to opera and operetta for the CNR Radio
CNR Radio
CNR Radio or CN Radio was the first national radio network in North America. It was developed, owned and operated by the Canadian National Railway between 1923 and 1932 to provide en route entertainment and information for its train passengers...
; notably leading performances of some of his own works. He later worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
conducting for the popular Spanish music programs Sevilliana and Mexicana. He also conducted operetta performances, orchestra concerts, and on recordings for His Master's Voice and Apex Records
Apex Records (Canada)
Apex Records was a Canadian record label owned by the Compo Company which lasted as late as 1980.Compo established the Apex label in July, 1921 in Toronto. It released American recordings from Okeh Records and Gennett Records among others...
in addition to his work as a radio conductor. He died in Montreal at the age of 70.