Manuel Quiroga

Full biography Manuel Quiroga

Manuel Quiroga Losada (April 15, 1892 – April 19, 1961) was a Spanish violinist and composer who was active in the first half of the 20th century. He was born in Pontevedra, Spain, and began playing the violin at a young age. Quiroga was a child prodigy and made his debut at age nine in Madrid. From there, he became a well-known performer throughout Europe, appearing in cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, and Vienna.

Aside from his performances, Quiroga was also a composer and wrote two violin concertos, sets of variations, a string quartet, and other pieces for the violin. His works are known for their virtuosity and showcase his abilities as a performer. Quiroga was also a skilled arranger and transcriber, creating versions of works by other composers for the violin.

In addition to his own compositions and performances, Quiroga was influential in the Spanish music scene and collaborated with many other musicians and composers. He founded the Cuarteto Quiroga, a string quartet that continues to perform today, and also taught at the Madrid Conservatory.

Quiroga's legacy continues to be celebrated and his compositions are still performed by many violinists today. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Spanish music during the first half of the 20th century.