Nin-Culmell, Joaquín (Maria)
Nin-Culmell, Joaquín (Maria)
Nin-Culmell, Joaquín (Maria), Cuban-American composer, pianist, and teacher, son of Joaquín Nin (y Castellanos); b. Berlin, Sept. 5, 1908. He went to Paris and studied piano at the Schola Cantorum and composition with Dukas at the Cons. From 1930 to 1935 he pursued training in composition with Falla in Granada. He also continued piano studies with Cortot and Vines. In 1938 he emigrated to the U.S., where he taught at Williams Coll. in Williamstown, Mass. (1940–50) and the Univ. of Calif, at Berkeley (1950–74). He ed. and annotated the Spanish Choral Tradition (1975 et seq.), a series devoted to secular music of the Renaissance. His own music exhibits Spanish influence in its basic lyricism and vital rhythmic energy, but it combines these elements with 20th century harmonies in transparent textures that are essentially homophonic and tonal.
Works
dramatic:Yerma, incidental music to Garcia Lorca’s play (1956); El burlador de Sevilla, ballet (1957–65); La Celestina, opera (1965–85); Le rêve de Cyrano, ballet (1978); Cymbeline, incidental music to Shakespeare’s play (1980). orch.:Homenaje a Falla (1933–90); Piano Concerto (1946); 3 Piezas antiguas espanolas (1959–61); Diferencias (1962); Cello Concerto (1962; also as a Guitar Concerto, 1992). chamber: Piano Quintet (1934–36); Celebration for Julia for String Quartet and Glockenspiel (1981). guitar:6 Variations and Theme by Luis de Milan (1945); La Matilda y El Emilio (1990). keyboard: piano:Tres impresiones (1929); Sonata brève (1932); 3 Homages (1941–90); Tonadas (4 vols., 1956–61); Alejandro y Luis (1983); 12 Danzas Cubanas (1985). organ:Variations on a Theme by Bach (1987); Sinfonia de los Mistérios (1993–94). vocal: Cantata for Voice, Harpsichord, and Strings (1965–66); Dedication Mass for Chorus and Organ (1970); 6 Popular Sephardic Songs for Voice and Orch. or Piano (1982); 10 de Octubre! for Chorus and Brass (1985–90); Ragpicker’s Song for Chorus and Piano (1995); art songs; 49 Spanish and Cuban folk songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire