Guillermo Uribe Holguin

Full biography Guillermo Uribe Holguin

Guillermo Uribe Holguin was a Colombian composer and violinist who was born on March 17, 1880, in Bogota, Colombia, and died on June 26, 1971. He is considered to be one of the most prominent composers of Colombia's nationalist music movement.

Uribe Holguin began studying music at the National Conservatory of Music in Bogota in 1899, where he studied violin with Franz von Vecsey and music theory with Vicente Salas Viu. After completing his studies, he traveled to Europe to further his education, where he studied under several renowned composers and musicians, including Eugène Ysaÿe, Leopold Auer, and Claudio Arrau.

Uribe Holguin's music is characterized by its use of traditional Colombian folk music rhythms and melodies and his fusion of these with European classical music forms and styles. One of his most famous works is the "Pasillo Riofrio," which is based on a traditional Colombian dance and is often performed as a national symbol of Colombia.

In addition to his work as a composer, Uribe Holguin was also a respected music educator, and he founded the Conservatory of Music in Cali in 1942. Despite his significant contributions to Colombian music, he is said to have turned down many awards and honors throughout his life, believing that his work spoke for itself.

In conclusion, Guillermo Uribe Holguin was a prominent Colombian composer and violinist who played a significant role in the development of Colombia's nationalist music movement. His fusion of traditional Colombian folk music with European classical forms resulted in a unique and captivating style that continues to be celebrated and performed in Colombia and beyond.