Pepito Arriola
Encyclopedia
José “Pepito” Rodríguez Carballeira (December 14, 1896 – October 24, 1954) was a Spanish
child prodigy
pianist
and eventual master violin
ist.
, his aunt Aurora took care of him and taught him to play piano.
. One morning, upon hearing the piece played with accuracy and confidence, Arriola’s mother entered the room containing the piano and was astounded when she discovered that her son was responsible for the skilled rendition. The young musician, without any formal or informal instruction, began his career as a pianist, at times playing pieces he had heard and at other times creating original compositions. After his mother noticed the child’s abilities, she took him with her to Madrid and his career as a concert pianist began.
in front of King and Queen playing six original compositions. Arriola would go on to become a great violinist as well, impressing the whole of Europe with his later great concerts in the German
city of Leipzig
and in the Russia
n capital of St. Petersburg http://www.histclo.com/act/music/pro/ind/p/pro-arriola.html.
, etc.) with a symbol at the top followed by arbitrary lines and notes which was the written music for the piece. Afterward, he is described as setting the paper down in front of him saying “I will play that” and proceeding to improvise remarkably well. His pieces were described as having a “richness of astonishing expression” ranging from the tragic to the merry.
After his death 12 additional scores were found. They were written in Barcelona after his return to Spain in 1946:
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
child prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
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 eventual master violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist.
Origins
Pepito was born to a liberal family of Ferrol, his mother was Josefa Rodríguez Carballeira and having no known father, his birth certificate has the family name of his mother, which she never used, naming the boy with the last name of his grandfather. After Josefa went to MadridMadrid
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...
, his aunt Aurora took care of him and taught him to play piano.
Career Beginning
Arriola’s remarkable ability was first discovered at the age of two and a half. The story spread by his mother says that she had received a composition from a friend which she played frequently on the home pianoPiano
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...
. One morning, upon hearing the piece played with accuracy and confidence, Arriola’s mother entered the room containing the piano and was astounded when she discovered that her son was responsible for the skilled rendition. The young musician, without any formal or informal instruction, began his career as a pianist, at times playing pieces he had heard and at other times creating original compositions. After his mother noticed the child’s abilities, she took him with her to Madrid and his career as a concert pianist began.
Performances
On December 4, 1899, not yet three years old, Pepito Arriola gave his first public performance to an audience of music critics and musicians. Just after his third birthday on December 26 of the same year, Arriola held his second concert in Royal Palace of MadridRoyal Palace of Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid...
in front of King and Queen playing six original compositions. Arriola would go on to become a great violinist as well, impressing the whole of Europe with his later great concerts in the German
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...
city of Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
and in the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n capital of St. Petersburg http://www.histclo.com/act/music/pro/ind/p/pro-arriola.html.
Original Compositions
Arriola at the age of three, could read neither music nor written language and thus his process of composition was somewhat abnormal. He would sometimes use a blank piece of paper, indicating the nature of the piece (sonata, waltzWaltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
, etc.) with a symbol at the top followed by arbitrary lines and notes which was the written music for the piece. Afterward, he is described as setting the paper down in front of him saying “I will play that” and proceeding to improvise remarkably well. His pieces were described as having a “richness of astonishing expression” ranging from the tragic to the merry.
Complete Works
- Aurora habanera 1898
- Impresiones nocturnas 1916
- Hommage à Manuel de Falla/Homenaje a Falla 1942
After his death 12 additional scores were found. They were written in Barcelona after his return to Spain in 1946:
- Divertimento concertante 1946
- Tres textos cervantinos voice and orchestra, 1946
- Aqui lloró Don Quixote,1947
- Tres textos cervantinos for 2 pianos, 1947
- Concerto para trompa horn concert, 1948
- Sehilcht Weise1948
- Song 1948
- Don Quixote in DM 1949
- Seis poesías de Antonio Machado Baritone and orchestra
- Pequena serenata para cello y piano 1951
- Concertino piano e orquestra 1953
- Impresiones Argentinas