Flores Chaviano

Flores Chaviano is one of the great figures of contemporary guitar. As both a performer and composer, his artistic works have been highly recognized by specialized critics and today he is considered one of the most important Cuban creators.

His extensive catalog for guitar includes solo works, chamber works, and pedagogical pieces.

Born in Caibarién, he studied with Isaac Nicola at the National School of Art. He has carried out an intense activity of concerts and recitals, both in Cuba and in other countries.

In 1974 he won the guitar prize from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. Among his works are "Requiem for a Sonero" (dedicated to Miguel Matamoros); "Homage to Victor Jara", "Variations on a Yoruba Theme", "Poem for Flute and Guitar", as well as pieces of music for children. He recorded a long-playing record with guitar works by various Cuban authors.

He studied composition with Sergio Fernández Barroso at the Superior Institute of Art. He presided over the Hermanos Saíz Music Brigade for several years and worked as a guitar professor at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory.

In the 1980s he moved to reside in Madrid. He studied at the Royal Superior Conservatory of Music of Madrid. He has founded the groups Ensemble de Segovia, Cuarteto Fin de Siglo, the Capilla Musical Esteban Salas and more recently the group "Sonido Trece" of Madrid.

As a composer he has premiered his works with orchestras and chamber groups such as: National Symphonic Orchestra of Mexico City, Academy of Gdansk (Poland), Symphonic Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias (OSPA), Orchestra of Granada, Classical Orchestra of Madrid, Symphonic Orchestra of Matanzas (Cuba), Chamber Orchestra of Nalón Asturias, Mutare Ensemble of Frankfurt, Latin American Quartet of Mexico, Wind Quintet of the Komiche Opera of Berlin, the Featuring Ensemble of New York, Percussion Quartet of Florida International University, The Entrequatre Quartet, the Choir of the Prince of Asturias Foundation etc., groups conducted among others by Francisco Savín, Maximiano Valdés, Josep Pons and Manuel Angel Paz. His catalog comprises nearly one hundred works for various combinations.

He has written works commissioned by the Center for the Dissemination of Contemporary Music of the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music of Spain, Prince of Asturias Foundation, Nalón Conservatory and National Radio of Spain.

His works have been performed in India, South Africa (Cape Town), Pretoria, Beijing, Helsinki, Stockholm, Japan, New York, Washington, Florida, Florence, Berlin, Milan, Warsaw, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba and almost all of Spanish geography.

As a guitarist he has offered concerts in Europe, America and Asia presenting himself at the following events: International Festivals of Granada, Alicante, Navarra, and Guitar Today in Mexico City, Royal Theater of Madrid, IX Cycle of Music and Polyphony, he has also presented himself at the Theater of Fine Arts of Mexico, University of Puerto Rico, Meeting of guitarists of Latin America and the Caribbean in Havana, Circle of Fine Arts and National Auditorium of Music of Madrid, as well as recitals in Milan, Florence, Dresden, Berlin, Potsdam, Warsaw, Beijing, former USSR, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Stockholm, Metropolitan of New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Kennedy Center of Washington, Warsaw, Bulgaria and all of Cuban geography.

He has offered concerts as a soloist with the: National Orchestra of Mexico, National Orchestra of Cuba, Academy Orchestra of Gdansk, Orchestra of the New World of Miami, Symphonic Orchestra of Matanzas (Cuba), Symphonic Orchestra of Santiago de Cuba.

He has offered courses and concerts at: Manuel de Falla Courses of Granada, Florida International University, "Andrés Segovia" Chair of the Superior Conservatory of Beijing, University of Puerto Rico, Superior Conservatories of Madrid, Granada, Murcia, Rostock, Berlin. He has offered recitals in Milan, Florence, Stockholm, Warsaw, New York, Beijing, Mexico City, Berlin, Cuba, Czech Republic, former USSR, Portugal, Slovakia, Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Oviedo, Málaga, Seville, Cádiz, Linares and almost all of Spain. In 1987 he won the MEC competitive examinations and currently teaches at the Professional Conservatory Angel Arias Macein of Madrid.