updated 9 March 2010

Félix Ibarrondo

Spanish composer born 12 June 1943 in Oñate Guipuzcoa.

Félix Ibarrondo was born in Spain in 1943 to a musical family, and began his musical studies learning music theory and harmony with his father, Antonino. He went on to study philosophy and theology, at the same time continuing his musical studies, learning composition with Juan Cordero Castaño as well as piano, earning musical degrees from the conservatories of San Sebastián and Bilbao.

He moved to Paris, in 1969, where he studied with Max Deutsch, Henri Dutilleux, and Maurice Ohana, at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Musique, where he earned a degree in composition while also studying electroacoustic music at the GRM.

His awards and honors include the Oscar Esplá Prize, the Lili Boulanger Prize, the CECA Arpa de Plata award, and the SACEM Young Composers prize.

When he arrived in Paris, Ibarrondo enrolled at the École du Louvre, where he found that painting and the visual arts were a contant source of stimulation for his music composition. While he has no official institutional affiliations, he works and dialogues with young composers and teaches introductory music classes built around his scores.

His abundant, varied catalogue, in which works for orchestra and voice feature strongly, has been performed by major ensembles including the Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orquesta Nacional de España, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao, the Orchestre de Poitou-Charentes, the Orchestre des Pays de Savoie, Ensemble Intercontemporain, the Arditti Quartet, the Trio à Cordes de Paris, the Contemporary Choir of Aix en Provence, Musicatreize, and Madrid’s LIM ensemble.

Personal relationships with performers are very important to him, and he has worked closesly with musicians including Jean-Claude Pennetier, Alain Meunier, Charles Frey, Pierre Strauch, Jérôme Pernoo, Michel Michalakakos, Christophe Desjardins, Gilles Burgos, Arturo Tamayo, Juanjo Mena, Roland Hayrabédian, Lionel Peintre, Kiyoko Okada, Alberto Ponce, Caroline Delume, Jean Horreaux, and Jean-Marie Tréhard.

His close relationships with Maurice Ohana and Francisco Guerrero have been decisive in both his musical and his personal life.

Musicologist and critic Harry Halbreich has written, “Ibarrondo is the perfect example of the independent composer, who, without signing on with any particular school, has, over time, used his powers of communication with audiences and performers to make a name for himself. Passionate about his Basque heritage, he is the very incarnation of his people’s qualities: focused passion; vehement, sometimes violent expressiveness; a preference for lived expression to abstraction and systems; generosity; openmindedness from a perspective of uncompromising and non-complacent humanism […] Rigorous, solid writing - the hallmark of all of Max Deutsch’s disciples - in his music are made to serve an expressive message whose burning generosity holds firm, when it needs to, even before the harshest of tones.”


© Éditions Jobert, 2010

Sources

  • Éditions Jobert.
  • Solo (excluding voice)
  • Chamber music
    • Egatan for clarinet, viola and piano (1999), 12 mn 15 s, Jobert
    • Et la vie était là... for string quartet (1973), 11 mn, Inédit
    • Bana zergaitik for wind quintet (1974), 12 mn, Emec
    • Clair-obscur for piano and clarinet (1974), 15 mn 14 s, Alpuerto
    • Fluxus for piano and flute (1974), 11 mn, Inédit
    • Résonances for six percussionists (1974), 14 mn 30 s, Inédit
    • Icaresque for three flutes or flute and tape (1978), 7 mn 16 s, Inédit
    • Izakera for flute, harp and cello (or viola) (1979), 12 mn 10 s, Inédit
    • Pakeruntz for two guitars (1979), 7 mn 30 s, Billaudot
    • Diastole for two percussionists (1979-1980), 10 mn, Fuzeau
    • Flumina for flute, piano and percussion (1980), 18 mn, Inédit
    • Aitz-Ori for clarinet in E flat, horn, trumpet and violin (1983), Inédit
    • Phalene for string trio (1983), 10 mn, Jobert
    • Onyx for harpsichord and percussion (1984), 12 mn 24 s, Jobert
    • Boreas for clarinet and cello (1987), 11 mn, Inédit
    • Iruki for string trio (1988), 6 mn 30 s, Billaudot
    • Aritz guitar quartet (1992), 10 mn, Inédit
    • Trio à cordes n° 3 for violin, viola and cello (1992), 15 mn 41 s, Billaudot
    • Silene for wind quintet (1993), Inédit
    • Itzak for flute, viola and guitar (1997), Inédit
    • Quatuor à cordes n° 2 (1997), 17 mn 30 s, Jobert
    • Aethtra for eight cellos, after a painting by Arman (1999)
    • Egatan for clarinet, viola and piano (1999), 12 mn 15 s, Jobert
    • Oiharka for string quartet and piano (2002), 13 mn, Inédit
    • Oyarka for string quartet and piano (2005), 13 mn, Jobert
    • Trio à cordes n° 4 - Ametzlur for violin, viola and cello (2000-2007), 12 mn 15 s, Jobert
  • Instrumental ensemble music
  • Concertant music
  • Vocal music and instrument(s)
    • Aitaren etxea for tenor, two pianos, violin and percussion (1971), 25 mn, Inédit
    • Cette terre-là for solo soprano, six sopranos and twelve instrumentalists (1971), 18 mn, Inédit
    • Clameur de la nuit for twelve solo voices, narrators and seventeen instrumentalists (1974), 14 mn, Inédit
    • Musique pour la messe for soprano, mixed choir, with participation of the audience and ensemble (1977), 30 mn
    • stage Cibillak for soprano, tenor, baritone, two clarinets and three cellos (1981), 14 mn 40 s, Inédit
    • Sino for voice, choir, brass and percussion (1981), 14 mn 40 s, Ed. Musicales Transatlantiques
    • Canto for soprano, mixed choir and thirteen instrumentalists (1982-1983), 22 mn, Jobert
    • Ekain for soprano and ensemble (1985), 12 mn, Jobert
    • Gauherdikoak for soprano, mixed choir for four voices, four pianos and six percussionists (1989), 15 mn, Billaudot
    • Ahores for soprano, alto, tenor, two baritones and percussion (1990), 9 mn, Billaudot
    • Lore-Kantak for choir of white voices, soprano, contralto and seventeen instrumentrists (1991), Inédit
    • Ode à Martin for narrator, soprano, baritone, mixed choir and fifteen instrumentalists (1995-1996), 35 mn, Inédit
    • Gacela del amigo in memoriam Francisco Guerrero, for soprano and ten instruments (1998), 9 mn, Inédit
    • Zuk zer dezu for narrator, soprano, baritone, mixed choir and orchestra (2000-2001), 40 mn, Jobert
  • A cappella vocal music
  • 2007
  • 2005
    • Ibilkerak for two guitars and ensemble, 12 mn, Jobert
    • Oyarka for string quartet and piano, 13 mn, Jobert
    • Urrundik for a cappella choir
    • Zortziko dantza for large orchestra, 13 mn 40 s, Jobert
  • 2004
  • 2002
    • Oiharka for string quartet and piano, 13 mn, Inédit
  • 2001
    • Barca loca for piano, 9 mn, Inédit
    • Zuk zer dezu for narrator, soprano, baritone, mixed choir and orchestra, 40 mn, Jobert
  • 1999
    • Aethtra for eight cellos, after a painting by Arman
    • Concerto de guitare for guitar and eleven instruments, 13 mn 30 s, Jobert
    • Egatan for clarinet, viola and piano, 12 mn 15 s, Jobert
    • Illundik for choir a cappella, 10 mn, Jobert
  • 1998
    • Gacela del amigo in memoriam Francisco Guerrero, for soprano and ten instruments, 9 mn, Inédit
    • Ishtar for viola, Inédit
  • 1997
  • 1996
    • Ode à Martin for narrator, soprano, baritone, mixed choir and fifteen instrumentalists, 35 mn, Inédit
  • 1995
  • 1994
    • Akaîtz for twelve saxophones, 17 mn 30 s, Inédit
  • 1993
  • 1992
  • 1991
    • Iris for piano, 12 mn 47 s, Inédit
    • Lore-Kantak for choir of white voices, soprano, contralto and seventeen instrumentrists, Inédit
  • 1990
    • Ahores for soprano, alto, tenor, two baritones and percussion, 9 mn, Billaudot
    • Nerezko-Aiak concerto for cello and orchestra, 20 mn
  • 1989
    • Gauherdikoak for soprano, mixed choir for four voices, four pianos and six percussionists, 15 mn, Billaudot
  • 1988
    • Gabaren begiak for twelve solo voices, 10 mn, Inédit
    • Iruki for string trio, 6 mn 30 s, Billaudot
  • 1987
    • Aïgari concerto for harp and six instrumentalists, Inédit
    • Boreas for clarinet and cello, 11 mn, Inédit
  • 1986
    • Irrintz for orchestra, 20 mn 30 s, Durand
    • Nayan concerto for viola and strings, 10 mn, Jobert
  • 1985
    • Ekain for soprano and ensemble, 12 mn, Jobert
    • Erys for orchestra, 17 mn, Jobert
  • 1984
    • Onyx for harpsichord and percussion, 12 mn 24 s, Jobert
  • 1983
  • 1982
    • Abyssal concerto for two guitars and seventeen instrumentalists, 21 mn, Billaudot
    • Sismal for flute, 11 mn 51 s, Jobert
  • 1981
    • stage Cibillak for soprano, tenor, baritone, two clarinets and three cellos, 14 mn 40 s, Inédit
    • Sino for voice, choir, brass and percussion, 14 mn 40 s, Ed. Musicales Transatlantiques
  • 1980
  • 1979
    • Amairuk for guitar and twelve stringed instruments, 12 mn, Ed. Musicales Transatlantiques
    • Izakera for flute, harp and cello (or viola), 12 mn 10 s, Inédit
    • Pakeruntz for two guitars, 7 mn 30 s, Billaudot
  • 1978
    • Cristal y piedra for guitar, 6 mn 30 s, Ed. Musicales Transatlantiques
    • Icaresque for three flutes or flute and tape, 7 mn 16 s, Inédit
    • Izengabekoa for twenty-one instruments, 13 mn, Emec
  • 1977
  • 1976
  • 1975
  • 1974
  • 1973
  • 1972
  • 1971
    • Aitaren etxea for tenor, two pianos, violin and percussion, 25 mn, Inédit
    • Cette terre-là for solo soprano, six sopranos and twelve instrumentalists, 18 mn, Inédit
  • Date de composition inconnue
    • Egatan for clarinet, viola and piano, 12 mn 15 s, Jobert
    • Prélude for piano, Jobert
    • Ressac for string orchestra, 12 mn, Jobert

Bibliographie

  • Caroline DELUME, « La guitare au cœur de l’énergie explosive » dans Les cahiers de la guitare et de la musique, n° 76, 2000.
  • Alain FÉRON, « Essai sur l’esthétique et le langage de Félix Ibarrondo » dans l’Encyclopedia Universalis.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, « Source d’avenir, Maurice Ohana » dans La revue musicale, tripe numéro, 1986.
  • Tomas MARCO, « La creación musical vasca hoy » dans la Revista Internacional de los estudios vascos, tome XXX, n° 1, janvier-juin 1985.

Discographie

  • Félix IBARRONDO, « Œuvres vocales, ensemble Musicatreize » : Oroipen ; Urrundik ; Trois chœurs basques a cappella ;  Min Dira ; Illundik, direction : Roland Hayrabedian, 1 cd L’Empreinte Digitale, 2006.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Icaresque ; Iris ; Onyx ; Que cet ardent sanglot ; Sismal ; Trio à cordes n° 3, Antonio Arias, Juana Guillem, Jose Sotorres : flûtes, 1 cd LIM-BBK, 1998, n° 006.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Ekain, Nicole Tamestit, Gilles Burgos, David Simpson, Gerda Hartman, Ursula Kneihs, ensemble Kaleidocollage, Jean-Louis Bergerard, avec des œuvres de Nicolaus A. Huber, Sylvia Hallett, Klaus Ager, 1 cd Adda, 1996.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Bana zergaitik, quintette à vent Koan, 1 cd Movieplay, n° M-7147.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Brisas, Antoni Ros Marba : direction, 1 cd RCA, n°  RL-35398.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Clair-obscur, Jesus Villa Rojo : clarinette, G. Lopez Laguna : piano.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Flumina, 1 cd LIM-BBK-001.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Fluxus, M. Clavel : flûte, A. Cividian : piano, 1 cd YA! n° C 001/97.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Cristal y piedra, dans « Jeune musique de chambre espagnole », Caroline Delume : guitare, avec des pièces de Jose Manuel Lopez-Lopez, Francesco Luque, 1 cd L’empreinte digitale, Multiphonia 95, 1995, n° ED 13040.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Irrintz, dans « Música Sinfónica Española Contemporanea 5 » Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi, direction : Juanjo Mena, 1 cd Àudiovisuals de Sarrià, n° 5.1685.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Pakeruntz, Jean Horreaux et Jean-Marie Trehard : guitares, avec des œuvres de Maurice Ohana, Edith Canat de Chizy, Katori Makino, Ton-That Tiét, 1 cd REM, 1993, n° 311206.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Phalène, trio à cordes de Paris, 1 cd Erato MFA, n° 2292-45019-2.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Résonances, 1 cd RTVE-AME-002
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Silencios ondulados, Jean-Pierre Dupuy : piano.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Sous d’emprise d’une ombre, conjunto de Cámara de Madrid, direction : José María Franco Gil, 1 cd RCA RL-35167.
  • Félix IBARRONDO, Sino ; Odolez ; Zoro Dantzak ; Argiruntz, chœur contemporain de l’Université de Provence, direction : Roland Hayrabedian, 1 LP Harmonia Mundi, 1983.

Liens Internet