Carmelo Bernaola

Full biography Carmelo Bernaola

Carmelo Bernaola was a Spanish composer and clarinetist who was born on July 12, 1929, in the town of Ortuella, in the Basque Country, Spain. He was a prominent figure in the Spanish contemporary music scene and was associated with the Generation of 51, a group of Spanish composers who came of age in the 1950s. Bernaola's music was characterized by a blend of avant-garde technique and traditional Spanish elements.

Bernaola began his musical studies at an early age and went on to study at the Madrid Royal Conservatory and later at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He then returned to Spain to pursue a career in music composition and performance.

Bernaola's compositions were widely performed in Spain and abroad and included orchestral works, choral works, chamber music, and opera. He also composed music for films and television, including the popular Spanish television drama series Verano Azul , for which he composed the theme music.

Bernaola was a highly respected music teacher, and he taught composition at the Madrid Royal Conservatory and the Basque Country Music Conservatory in San Sebastián. He also served as the director of the Bilbao Conservatory.

Carmelo Bernaola died on June 19, 2002, in Madrid, Spain, at the age of 72. His contributions to Spanish music and his lasting impact on the country's contemporary music scene make him a significant figure in the history of Spanish music.