Olga De Blanck Martin

Full biography Olga De Blanck Martin

Olga De Blanck Martin was a Cuban composer born in 1915. She was among the most important women composers of her era and her innovative contributions to Cuban music earned her international recognition.

De Blanck's musical career began at an early age, and she completed her first composition, "Tonadas y Danzones", when she was just 17 years old. Throughout her life, she composed a diverse range of music, including ballets, chamber music, choral works, and song cycles.

De Blanck's early music was heavily influenced by the classical music tradition, but as she matured, her work became more experimental and avant-garde. She integrated Afro-Cuban rhythms and melodies into her compositions, earning her recognition for revitalizing Cuban music. Later in life, De Blanck also explored electronic music, which opened up new sonic possibilities for her compositions.

Despite her many accolades and contributions to music, De Blanck's work is often overshadowed by the male-dominated canon of classical music. However, her music has been performed around the world and she was praised for paving the way for female composers who followed in her footsteps.

De Blanck passed away in 1995, but her musical legacy lives on. Her contributions to Cuban and classical music continue to inspire new generations of composers and musicians around the world.