Manolo Juárez

A pianist, composer, arranger, and maestro, Juárez was one of the most important Argentine artists of the 20th-century. Manolo Juárez expanded the horizons of Argentine music. A multifaceted musician, his creative output spanned two different worlds: in the field of popular music, he helped to revive the folk music scene while his symphony and chamber music incorporated new sounds and elements not previously seen in so-called classical music. His work includes pieces for the ballet, theatre, and film and he was a tireless champion of musical culture and education. He played a fundamental role in Argentine musical education, incorporating revolutionary new methodologies and founded the first School of Popular Music in Latin America (the Escuela Popular de Avellaneda), the most prestigious in the region. From his privileged position in both camps, Juárez was able to reflect in characteristically perspicacious fashion on the tensions and conflicts that arise between high and popular culture, oppositions that also defined his political, social and cultural world view. His work is destined to stand the test of time and is now available in full on digital platforms and his website. This collection will take listeners on a journey through 20th-century Argentine music.