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Home » Guitarists » Bonilla-Chavez, Carlos (1923- Quito, Ecuador)

Bonilla-Chavez, Carlos (1923- Quito, Ecuador)

Saturday, 30 August, 2008

Biography

Considered 'The Father of Classical Guitar' in Ecuador; Carlos Bonilla Chavez is a signigicant: composer, educator, guitarist and contrabass player.

In 1962 Bonilla founded the first guitar department at the National Conservatory of Music in Quito, Ecuador.
Sought after to perform many of his own compositions which featured solo guitar and orchestra, Bonilla frequently performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador and the Colombian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ever since the Ecuadorian National Symphony Orchestra was established in 1956, Bonilla served as principal contrabass until his retirement in 1985. He also performed a contrabass solo, Concert of Canoñery, accompanied on the piano by his brother Hector Bonilla.

He has written numerous, unique works and different arrangements for guitar.
Few Ecuadorian composers have fought to elevate the level of the traditional Ecuadorian national music. Adding to its essence, harmonic wealth, and colorful variety. All his works are considered scholarly and yet with a traditional flare for the music of the indigenous Ecuadorian peoples.
Though he wrote hundreds of musical scores, below is a bibliography of his most important symphonic works:
- Andean Suite (Suite Andina) Debut performance took place at the Sucre National Theater in Quito on the 17th of December 1958.
- Thousand Years of Music (Mil Años de Música) This symphonic work made its debut in Quito, 1984. This performance was sponsored by the Central Bank of Ecuador.
- Roots (Raices) (Concert for guitar and orchestra) Raices (Concierto para guitarra y orquesta) Debuted on April 30th 1987 at the Sucre National Theater during a tribute which honored Bonilla's 50 years of involvement with Ecuador's music industry. In May of 1996 Raices was revisited to much acclaim as featured soloist, Fabian Carrera, swept audiences away on melodies similar to the work of Aaron Copeland.
- Minisuite Popular, Debuted in Quito's Sucre National Theater in 1988. This work highlighted Bonilla's writing for popular styled symphonic music.
- Rumiñahui symphony, received the coveted prize Sixto Maria, at the Municipality of Quito in 1989.

At 84 years of age Bonilla presently resides quietly in Quito, Ecuador.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVcV0EwHW_g

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