Pau Casals (Pablo Casals) is a Catalan cellist, composer, conductor, musical and public figure. About him, Albert Einstein said: "Indeed, it was not worth waiting for my opinion to proclaim Pablo Casals the greatest artist, since in this respect the opinions of all authoritative people are unanimous."
Many famous artists were born in Spain. In the musical field, the cellist, an outstanding master of the last century, Pau (Pablo) Casals (Casals), stands out especially clearly. The full name of the famous figure is Pau Carles Salvador Casals y Defillo.
The beginning of the path to the top
An entire era has been inscribed in the history of cello art with Casals' work. The virtuoso influenced other areas of performance. Thus, the musician became an example for violinists and pianists.
The biography of the famous maestro began in 1876. The child appeared on December 29 in Wendrell to the family of an organist. The father became the first music teacher for his son. From the age of five, the boy sang in the church choir. He began to play in the violin and piano. At seven, Pablo could play plays of any complexity. The eight-year-old performed at a local concert. Soon the baby learned to play the organ and replaced his father during his illness.
The head of the family believed that music could not provide for existence. Therefore, he insisted that his son receive a craft. Mother helped. Together with her, the teenager went to Barcelona, where he entered the music school in the cello class. In addition to playing the instrument, the boy learned counterpoint and harmony with Roderéda.
The young musician has tirelessly improved his performing technique. Pablo's aspiration was to free himself from the constraining conventions of the virtuoso. He achieved the flexibility of his right hand, facilitated bow movements, improved fingering, movements of the fingers of his left hand, and their position. The musician was based on naturalness and simplicity. The boy worked part-time in a cafe by playing in a string trio.
Confession
He studied at Pablo's school for three years. The cellist made his debut at the Teatro Novinki in Barcelona. In 1895 he moved to Madrid. The young man's mentor was Thomas Brenton and Jesus de Monasterio. The general education of Pablo was taken up by the Comte de Morphy. At the insistence of the patron, Casals went to the Prado Museum every day to broaden his horizons. He worked as a cellist in the theater orchestra "Foley Marigny" for two and a half years. In Barcelona, the musician was offered to teach at a music school.
At this time, the first tour of Spain with a string quartet took place. In 1898, Casals was invited to the palace by the queen in Madrid. After the concert, the musician was presented with a cello made by Galliano. The next year, Pablo went to Paris to see the famous conductor Charles Lamouret. On November 12, the French debut took place, and two years later a concert tour started.
From 1905 to 1913, the musician traveled to Russia every year to perform in concerts by Ziloti. The first performance took place in November. The musician, unknown to the Russian public, shocked sophisticated music lovers so much that after the end of his concert a standing ovation began.
Ziloti introduced Casals to many famous Russian composers. In 1905, the famous trio Casals-Thibault-Corto was created.
During the First World War, the musician stayed in Paris. In 1920 he moved to Barcelona, founded his own symphony orchestra, with which he performed as a conductor. The most famous performers of the world came to perform with him.
New achievements
After the fall of the Spanish Republic, Pablo left the country. He moved to the south of France to Prades. The cellist did not give concerts for a very long time. Only after the victory over fascism resumed the concert activity of the virtuoso. However, there was soon silence again. Then the colleagues of the performer themselves went to Prades. The musical meetings organized by them have become traditional.
The cellist broke his silence on October 24, 1958. He participated in the International Congress dedicated to the United Nations Day. In November 1961, there was a speech at the White House by US President Kennedy. Both concerts are out of concern for the world.
The great figure was not involved in arranging his personal life: he devoted himself entirely to music. However, at a very respectable age, he found a family. His wife was a young cellist Marta, a native of Puerto Rico. She won a scholarship to study in France from the great maestro. A romance began between talented musicians. After the May-December romance, an official ceremony took place, which made the officially talented performers husband and wife. Despite the difference in six decades, harmony reigned in the pair.
The musician created the oratorio "Nursery", "Anthem of the United Nations", symphonic, choral, chamber and instrumental works. The popular Catalan "Song of the Birds" became famous in the arrangement for cello.
Summarizing
Every morning the cellist practiced for several hours. The “morning routine”, with its complexity, was able to tire even younger virtuosos.
Casals mastery courses have become very popular. He gave classes in Siena, Zermatt, as well as the USA, Japan. Cellists from many countries came to the great virtuoso to improve their technique and consult.
Longest studied with maestro Gaspar Kassado, his compatriot. The musician was amazed at the mentor's ability to study the nature of music. This is what the student called the secret of the consummation of mastery. Never the same piece in the interpretation of the master sounded the same. The maestro always improvised on stage.
The great figure and performer passed away in 1973, on October 22. On its centenary, a statue was erected on Montserrat Mountain.
