Martin Zalba was born
in Pamplona (Spain) in 1958. His earliest musical experiences were
with the Choir "Escolanía Loyola", first as choir-member
and later as accompanist at the organ and piano in performances in
Spain and throughout Europe. He has also been a member of the "Pueri
Cantores" Federation. He completed advanced studies in Piano,
Music Theory and Composition, before beginning a full concert career
and performing as soloist with a number of Spanish orchestras. He
was also called upon to adjudicate numerous piano competitions. In
1991 he became Professor of Counterpoint, Fugue and Analysis at the
"Pablo Sarasate" Conservatory of Music in Pamplona.
His compositions have been widely performed, especially his many chamber
works. His music is published by Boileau of Barcelona and Alpuerto
of Madrid. He has been the focus of special concerts, and his works
have been performed in Europe, North America and South America. He
is a member of the Performing Rights Society of Spain. His works are
frequently heard on Spanish National Radio and Radio France, and are
regularly featured in contemporary music festivals, in performances
by leading concert artists.
To find out more about Zalba, visit the website www.lanzadera.com/martinzalba/
Martin Zalba's six Proverbios were originally conceived for soprano,
cello, and piano, and later arranged by the composer for clarinet
or violin, cello, and piano. The exquisitely romantic texts by the
Spanish poet Antonio Machado inspired similarly emotional music—tuneful,
diatonic, awash in lush sonorities. Indeed, throughout much of his
output Zalba has resisted most twentieth-century musical developments,
adhering to an almost reactionary nineteenth-century aesthetic.
