6th Grade Culture Project

Pablo Casals: Cellist (1876-1973) Cello virtuoso Pablo Carlos Salvador Casals y Defillo was born in Spain.  His father, who was church organist, taught him to play the piano, violin, flute, organ, and other instruments.  At age 12, Pablo chose to play the cello and left home to study music in Barcelona.  Queen Maria Cristina was impressed by his skill and helped pay for continued musical education at he Royal Conservatory of Madrid.  Then Pablo joined the Paris Opéra as a professional cellist.  His first concert debut revealed an incredible talent to the world.  Pablo began traveling around Europe and the Americas, including private concerts at the White House, to play solo cello performances.  Pablo returned to Spain to found and conduct the Barcelona Orchestra so that poor working classes could enjoy classical music.  He also guest conducted with other leading orchestras, composed choral and chamber compositions, organized an annual festival of classical chamber music in France, and conducted master classes.  Pablo held several benefit concerts to raise money for war refugees and peace causes.  He died in Puerto Rico in 1973.

Marsh, Carole, The Best Book of Hispanic Biographies.,Galopade Interational:  2003 p.9.

Helpful Sites:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Casals