Federico Moreno-Torroba

Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) was a Spanish composer, born in Madrid.

Biography

Moreno Torroba is often associated with the zarzuela, a traditional Spanish musical form. Directing several opera companies, Moreno Torroba helped introduce the zarzuela to international audiences. However, he is probably best known for his compositions for the classical guitar ^[1].

Torroba's works

In addition to his conducting duties, he composed many works, both in the traditional Spanish form and for the concert hall. He achieved his greatest success in the 1930s with the zarzuelas Luisa Fernanda (1932) and La Chulapona (1934). He also composed several operas, of which La Virgen de Mayo (1925) and El Poeta (1980, with Plácido Domingo in the title role) are his best known ^[2].

Zarzuela

• La mesonera de Tordesillas (1925)
• La marchenera (1928)
• Azabache (1932)
• Luisa Fernanda (1932)
• Xuanón (1933)
• La chulapona (1934)
• El duende azul (1946, with Rodrigo)
• Baile en Capitanía (1960)
• Ella (1966)

Opera

• La Virgen de Mayo (1925)
• El Poeta (1980)

Guitar music compositon

• Aires de La Mancha
• Burgalesa
• Castillos de España (Sigüenza, Manzanares el Real, Alba de Tormes, Montemayor, Alcañíz, Javier, Torija, Simancas, Zafra, Turégano, Rebada, Alcázar de Segovia, Olite, Calatrava)
• Estampas (for guitar-quartet)
• Madroños
• Nocturno
• Piezas características (Preámbulo, Oliveras, Melodía, Albada, Los Mayos, Panorama)
• Puertas de Madrid (Puerta de San Vicente, Puerta de Moros, Puerta de Toledo, Puerta de Alcalá, Puerta del Ángel, Puerta Cerrada, Puerta de Hierro)
• Rafagas (for guitar quartet)
• Serenata Burlesca
• Siete Piezas de Álbum (Chisperada, Rumor de Copla, Minueto del Majo, ¡Ay, Malagueña!, Aire Vasco, Segoviana, Bolero Menorquín)
• Sonata-Fantasía
• Sonatina in A
• Sonatina y variación (which is not the same piece as the Sonatina listed above)
• Suite castellana (Fandanguillo, Arada, Danza)
• Suite miniatura (Llamada, Tremolo, Vals, Divertimento)

References