10 Facts About Carlos Guastavino

Carlos Guastavino was an Argentine composer, considered one of the foremost composers of his country.

Carlos Guastavino's production amounted to over 500 works, most of them songs for piano and voice, many still unpublished.

Carlos Guastavino's style was quite conservative, always tonal and lushly romantic.

Carlos Guastavino's compositions were clearly influenced by Argentine folk music.

Carlos Guastavino's reputation was based almost entirely on his songs, and Guastavino has sometimes been called "the Schubert of the Pampas".

Unlike most other composers, at any time or place, Guastavino earned enough from his royalties and performing rights that he had little need for other income.

Carlos Guastavino studied music in Santa Fe with Esperanza Lothringer and Dominga Iaffei, and in Buenos Aires with Athos Palma.

Later, in 1956, Carlos Guastavino toured the USSR and China, performing his pieces for voice and piano.

Carlos Guastavino published more than 150 songs for voice and piano, numerous piano solo pieces, choral works, school songs, and chamber music.

Carlos Guastavino received important awards and recognition, such as the Municipal Prize from the city of Buenos Aires for his chamber songs, a prize from the Justice Ministry of Argentina, Prize of the Cultural Commission of Santa Fe Province for his songs, "Vosotras" magazine Prize for his "Cancion de Navidad", and a Prize from the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Music Council as recognition of his outstanding creative activity.