Alirio Díaz
He was Born in 1923 in La Candelaria, a small village near Carora in the state of Lara. From a very early age learned to play guitar and the popular music. With sixteen years old he moves to Carora for complete him primary schooling. Also he Shared stage with the master Rodrigo Riera.
In 1942 he traveled to Trujillo and he studied the theoretical of the music with director and composer Laudelino Mejías. He Learned to play saxophone, clarinet and began to work in directing the municipal band L. Mejías. In Trujillo also learned English, typography and play guitar better.
With these skills he moved to Caracas in 1945.
He began his formal studies at
"La Escuela Superior de Música José
Ángel Lamas" (currently located at Capitol).
Alirio receives instruction
from the master composer Raúl Borges
and complements their studies
Harmony and Music History with master
Vicente Emilio Sojo. He made his debut
in Caracas and gives a recital with works by Villalobos, Bach,
Ponce, etc.. And he demonstrated his high status as virtuous.
In the year 1950 the Venezuelan government offered a scholarship to continue his studies at the Conservatory of Madrid (Spain), with the master Regino Sainz de la Maza. Alirio stands out as one of the best students and obtained Diploma and Honors Professor
A year later he traveled to Vienna (Austria), attends the Academy of Music Chigiana where Andrés Segovia taught a course in guitar. Thanks to its technical excellence and dedication in just three years Aliriio become assistant and then substitute in the courses of the guitar master Segovia. From that moment began its activities as a concert throughout Europe.
In 1964 he moved to Rome and divides his time between Venezuela and the continent, teaching and giving concerts.
In 1987 received by the OAS Inter-American Music Awards. Has received various awards from the Venezuelan government, among them the honorary doctorate from the Universidad de Carabobo, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Universidad del Zulia, Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado Universidad Yacambú.
In Venezuela in 1993, made his name with an international guitar festival, which takes place at the Teatro Alirio Díaz, located in Carora, Lara State.
With notable success has given recitals on five continents stand out as one of the best guitarists in the world. Among other things has been a promoter of major courses and international guitar competitions. It also performs research Venezuelan folklore.
The wide repertoire of Alirio Diaz extends from the baroque, the Spanish guitar (very complicated) and Latin American context. Alirio Diaz has inspired many young people who play guitar. His technique is amazing and his speed is incredible.
The Venezuelan guitar music has evolved greatly. Master Alirio Diaz plays songs that require a lot of very difficult experience. Here are some:
"Vals 3 Natalia", Vals 2 Carora, Vals 4 Andreina, El Diablo Suelto, El Marabino, Continicio, etc.
The biggest influence of Alirio Diaz was Antonio lauro (Caracas, 1917-1989). Lauro was also an important person in the folklore of Venezuela for his great contribution. Other influences are the music of Alirio Vicente Emilio Sojo and Inocente Carreño.
In an interview that was conducted recently, Alirio answered:
-What do you think of the guitar?
The guitar is a living being. She conveys the flow of life and emotion. My guitar, over time, with concerts, is already prepared to respond to what I ask. I can take another guitar and will do almost the same, but my guitar does not change. I have to take care. It is not the instrument of large scenariess. It is the lady's confidence.
- When do you plan to hang the guitar?
In Easter. Specifically on Thursday and Friday. These are the most bitter days for me because the only thing I do is contemplate my guitar and think of the hours I need to complete the mourning for the death of Christ. The other 363 days of the year is impossible to leave. I can not give up the guitar because it is inside of me. Guitar is my soul and a man can not hang the soul. The guitar is an instrument of the night, the night sounds. And the guitar, like the night, has its guardians. I am the guardian of my guitar.
- What attracts you to this desert, to the desolation of La Candelaria?
I come to find silence. Solitude and silence. Silence conceived as a way to relax, rest, of stillness. I come to find the perfect silence that occurs at the time the full nature sleeps. That magic moment is here. Cities are the tomb of silence. And I can not give me the luxury of killing my internal silences.
He currently resides in La Candelaria (where he was born) ...
source: http://www.aliriodiaz.org/
VALS NUMBER 3: NATALIA
MUSICIAN: JONATHAN LLANCCE
My opinion about Alirio Díaz:
Alirio Diaz is a very important person for Venezuelan music. He has made many contributions to our culture and has been the inspiration of almost all the guitarists at present (including to me). Due to its surprising technique, Alirio is recognized world-wide level (rapidity, clarity in the sounds, beauty and subtlety) are of these skills. In my opinion he is simply the best musician of Venezuela, briefly " MASTERS OF MASTER".
