He began his musical studies in Vilanova with Magí Sans, and later expanded them at the Conservatori del Liceu de Barcelona with Francisco de Paula Sánchez Gavagnach (solfege and theory) and Domingo Sánchez Deyà (violin). At the Escola Municipal de Música de Barcelona he studied with Antoni Nicolau (harmony) and Eusebi Daniel (counterpoint and fugue). He devoted himself fundamentally to the composition of lyrical works, choral music, song, and chamber music. As a young man he was a violinist in the Barcelona Philharmonic Orchestra. He was recognized as an excellent conductor, mainly dedicated to zarzuela and the “revista” with performances in Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza. He also participated in the direction of the Teatro Lírico Catalán began in 1910.
He dedicated himself to teaching and was professor of harmony and counterpoint at the Escola Municipal de Música de Barcelona from 1947. He was founder and member of the “Montepío de Maestros Directores y Concertadores” of Barcelona from its foundation on September 18, 1925 until his death. One of his most remarkable characteristics was his modesty.
Several of his works were awarded in competitions such as the cycle of songs "Impressions de natura" which received the Extraordinary Prize in the Catalan Music Competition or "La poncella" for four mixed voices awarded in the “Jocs Florals” and the Musical Competition of Mataró. Of his theoretical work, the "Practical Orchestration Course" (1946) stands out, which received numerous congratulations from important musicians such as Joan Lamote de Grignon, Joaquin Turina, Jesús Guridi or Xavier Montsalvatge among many others.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW BETTER THE ARTIST?
Francesc Montserrat Ayarbe Archive in the Mestres Directors AssociationFrancesc Montserrat Ayarbe Biography in the Mestres Directors AssociationSheet music in the Biblioteca de Catalunya
PERFORMED WORKS
Impressions de natura, for voice and piano