Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt

Full biography Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt

Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt was a Chilean composer born on August 26, 1925, and passed away on January 3, 2010. He was both Chilean and German, as his mother was German. He wrote hundreds of compositions, including operas, symphonies, chamber music, and vocal works. Becerra-Schmidt was a notable figure in the Latin American music scene and was highly regarded for his innovative style of music that widely incorporated elements of folklore and jazz.

Some of Becerra-Schmidt's notable works include "La Divina Comedia," based on Dante Alighieri's divine comedy, "Canto de los Poetas," which featured poems of Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral set to music, and "Alturas de Macchu Picchu," a choral symphony based on the poetry of Pablo Neruda. Becerra-Schmidt's student Fernando Garcia also wrote works based on his teacher's artistic vision.

In addition to his compositions , Becerra-Schmidt was a respected music educator who trained several students who later became notable musicians and composers in their own right. His legacy continues through his music and students, and he is widely regarded as a significant figure in Latin American musical history.