Ramon Lazkano
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Ramon Lazkano is a contemporary Basque composer and conductor of classical music.
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[edit] Career
Ramon Lazkano (born in San Sebastián, 1968) attended piano and composition classes at the San Sebastian Higher Conservatory of Music, where he obtained a Higher Degree in Composition. Holding a Gipuzkoako Foru Diputazioa scholarship, he was accepted at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris, where he studied composition and orchestration with Alain Bancquart and Gérard Grisey, and was awarded a First Prize of Composition in 1990. A Sasakawa Foundation Scholarship allowed him to follow the studies of composition and analysis in Montreal with Gilles Tremblay. At his return to Paris, he studied orchestra conducting with Jean-Sébastien Béreau and Arturo Tamayo, and received a DEA degree in 20th Century Music and Musicology from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales.
His piano concerto Hitzaurre Bi earned him, at the age of 26, the prestigious Prince Pierre de Monaco Foundation Prize. Shortly afterwards, in 1997, a jury chaired by Luciano Berio gave him the Jerusalem Leonard Bernstein Composition Prize for his Auhen Kantuak. He was also a prizewinner of the Institute of Music and Drama Arts, the Colegio de España, and the Gaudeamus Foundation. While resident with the Joven Orquesta Nacional de España, he had the opportunity of composing several pieces which were performed, among others, at the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid and Berlin Konzerthaus. Stanford University invited him in 1999 to introduce his music and that same year he was appointed, along with Luis de Pablo, resident at the Musica Festival and the Strasburg Conservatoire. His residence in Rome (first as a scholar of the Spanish Academy of History, Archaeology & Fine Arts, then of the Villa Medici French Academy in Rome) allowed him to carry out a reflection on what composition is and what it means today, focusing mainly on thoughts about intertextuality and the saturation, silence and experience of sound and time, all of which giving birth to emblematic pieces such as Ilunkor (commissioned by the Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa) and Lur-Itzalak (commissioned by the Printemps des Arts of Monte Carlo).
His works have been played in many countries (France, Germany, Holland, Israel, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Denmark, United Kingdom, Russia, USA, Austria...) in the framework of prestigious festivals such as: Musica (Strasbourg), Ars Musica (Brussels), Présences in Radio-France, Philharmonic Green Umbrella New Music series (Los Angeles), Gaudeamus Muziekweek (Amsterdam), International Society of Contemporary Music (Copenhagen), Festival of Contemporary Music (Alicante, Sp). His music has been played by such renowned orchestras and ensembles as the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France, the Symphony Orchestra of Jerusalem, the Young National Orchestra of Spain, the Symphony Orchestra of Euskadi, the Symphony Orchestra of Bilbao, the Spanish Broadcast Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Teatre Lliure of Barcelona, the Ensemble Gaudeamus, the Ensemble Proxima Centauri, the Ensemble Barcelona 216, the Conjunto Ibérico de Violoncellos, Ensemble Wiener Collage - and he has been commissioned by the Ministry of Culture (France), the Basque Government, the Don Juan de Borbón Foundation, Radio France, ABRSM of London, the Juan March Foundation, etc... His orchestration of Mussorgsky's Songs and Dances of the Death was commissioned by the Saint-Denis Music Festival and premiered in June '94 by Dmitri Hvorostonsky.
As a conductor, he has notably been in charge of the ensemble OSTOTS (soloists of the Symphony Orchestra of Euskadi) for contemporary music in the Basque Country, whose concerts have been performed throughout Spain and recorded by the Spanish National Radio and the Basque Country Radio, thus promoting the dissemination of the repertoire of Basque composers.
He was head of the seminar "Historical and analytical course of the 20th Century learned music" for the continuous training of the music teaching staff of the Council of Education of the Basque Government (1996-98), head of the seminar "Trends in Present Day Music" at the University of the Basque Country (1994), and has been invited to participate at the courses on Luis de Pablo and on Francisco Escudero given by the University of the Basque Country, as well as to the 4th International Congress of Ontology (2000). He is the author of the critical edition of the opera Las Golondrinas by J. M.& R. Usandizaga for the Institute "Complutense" of Music Science of Madrid, premiered at the Teatro Real of Madrid in May '99.
Ramon Lazkano gave orchestration lessons at the Strasburg Conservatoire and composition lessons at the Higher Academy of Music of Catalonia in Barcelona. By the time being, he is professor of orchestration at the Higher Academy of Music of the Basque Country "Musikene".
[edit] Works
[edit] Orchestra
Eriden (1997-98) for chamber orchestra (1.1.1.1-1.1.1.0-2 perc-cel-1.1.1.1.1) 18' Commissioned by Radio France Première: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, cond: L. Cuniot - June 1999, RF in Paris
Hilarriak (2002-2003) for orchestra (2.2.2.2-2.2.2.0-2 perc-strings) 20' 1. Horia 2. Urdina 3. Beltza 4. Muskerra Commissioned by the State (France) for Jean-François Heisser Première: Orchestre de Poitou-Charentes, cond: J.-Fr. Heisser - May 2003, "Festival de l'Épau" in Le Mans
Hitzaurre Bi (1993) for piano & orchestra (2.2.2.2-2.1.1.0-perc-10.10.8.6.4) 17' Prince Pierre De Monaco Foundation Prize Première: Orchestre du CNSMP, piano: P. Zygmanowski, cond: J.-S. Béreau - October 1993, Conservatoire National de Paris Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, piano. M. Zabaleta, cond: J.J. Mena - February 1995, Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao
Ilgora (1998) for string orchestra (min 5-4-3-2-1) 10' Commissioned by Fundación Don Juan de Borbón Première: Orquesta de Cámara Carlos III - August 1999, Festival of Segovia
Ilunkor (2000-01) for orchestra (3.3.3.3-4.3.3.1-timb-3 perc-harp-strings) 27' Commissioned by Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa Première: Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa, cond: G. Varga - October 2002, Kursaal Hall in Saint-Sébastien
Itaun (2003) for accordion and orchestra (2.2.2.2-2.1.1.0-perc-10.10.8.6.4) 17' Commissioned by Eusko Jaurlaritzako Kultur Saila Première: Hermitage Orchestra of St. Petersburg, acc: I. Alberdi, cond: A. Soriano - October 2003, Hermitage Hall at St. Petersburg
Ortzi Isilak (2005) for clarinet and orchestra (2.2.2.2-4.2.2.0-3 perc-strings) 15' Commissioned by the Orquesta Nacional de España Première: clar.: Enrique Pérez Piquer, dir: R. Gamba - April 2006, Auditorio Nacional (Madrid)
Oskorriz (1990) for orchestra (3.3.3.3-4.3.3.0-perc-piano-12.12.10.8.6) 17' Honorary Mention at the Jonde Competition Première: Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa, cond: G. Nowak - March 1993, San Sebastián
Zur-Haitz (1999) for orchestra (4.2.4.3-4.3.3.1-perc-celesta-16.16.14.10.8) 12' Commissioned by Joven Orquesta Nacional de España Première: Joven Orquesta Nacional de España, cond: P. González - January 2000, Auditori of Barcelona Joven Orquesta Nacional de España, cond: E. Colomer - August 2001, Konzerthaus in Berlin
[edit] Chamber Music
Argilunak (1989) for baryton saxophone & two cellos 12' Première: 1990, Radio France in Paris
Aurresku (2000) for saxophone quartet, piano & 2 percussions 2'30" Première: Sax Ensemble, cond: J. de Eusebio - December 2000, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid
Bihurketak (1991) for violin, cello & piano 9' Première: Trio Wozzeck - December 1993, Hessischer Rundfunk (Germany)
Chant II (1989) for viola & tape or viola solo & four violas 11' Première: Sabine Toutain - March 1990, Radio France in Paris
Chant III (1990) for bass clarinet, 3 trombones & 3 cellos 16' Commissioned by Quincena Musical de San Sebastián Première: José Miguel Martínez Esparza, soloists of Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa, cond: J. M. Echeverría - August 1990
Eskaintza (1992) for ensemble (vn, fl, hb, cl, cr, trp, trb, perc) 9' Commissioned by Quincena Musical de San Sebastián Première: Ensemble Jesus Guridi, cond: J. J. Mena - August 1992
Hitzaro (1994) for alto flute & guitar 14' Première: Didier Aschour, Amélie Berson - April 1994, Paris
Hizkirimiri (1999) for bass clarinet, guitar, marimba & doublebass 12' Première: Ensemble Accroche Note - September 1999, Festival Musica in Strasburg
Hizpide (1995) for viola, alto flute & guitar 14' Première: Suonare a Tre - May 1996, Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam
Hodeiertz (1997) for alto saxophone & percussion (1 performer) 10' Première: Josetxo Silguero, Jesus Mari Garmendia - August 1997, Quincena Musical de San Sebastián
Igeltsoen Laborategia (Laboratory of Chalks):
- Hatsik-1 (2001) for Eb clarinet, trombone, cello and piano 5'
Commissioned by Eusko Jaurlaritzako Kultur Saila Première: Ensemble Wiener Collage - October 2001, Vienna
- Hatsik-2 (2002) for alt saxophone, double bass, accordion & percussion 3'30"
Première: Ensemble Wiener Collage - November 2003, Bruckner Hall in Linz
- Hatsik-3 (2004) for violin, clarinet, alt saxophone & piano 6'30"
Commissioned by Eusko Jaurlaritzako Kultur Saila Première: Ensemble Taller Sonoro - February 2005, Cadix
- Wintersonnenwende (2005) for string trio & celesta 2'30"
Première: Ensemble Wiener Collage - December 2003, Schoenberg Center, Vienna
Itzalen Zikloa (Cycle of Shadows):
- Su-Itzalak (1991) for eight cellos 12'
Honorary Mention at the Gaudemus Competition Première: Festival Présences - January 1992, Radio France in Paris
- Lur-Itzalak (2003) for violin and cello 9'
Commissioned by Printemps des Arts de Monte Carlo Première: L. Berok, Th. Amady - April 2004, Monaco
- Haize-Itzalak (2002) for string sextet (3 vn, 2 va, 1 vc) 12'
Première: Ensemble Wiener Collage - December 2002, Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna
Izotz (1993) for string quartet 16' Première: Miguel Jiménez, David Marco, David Mata, Cristina Pozas - January 1996, Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid
Laiotz (2003) for two pianos and two percussions 10' Commissioned by Radio France Première (radio broadcast): P. Zigmanowski, T. Ikeda, F. Jodelet, Fr. Desforges - September 2004, RF in Paris
Nahasmahasi (2002) for flute, alt saxophone, guitar, piano & percussion (1 instr.) 12' Commissioned by the State (France) for the Ensemble Proxima Centauri Première: Ensemble Proxima Centauri - December 2002, TNT in Bordeaux
Quinteto (1991) for wind quintet (fl, cl/Bcl, hb/Eh, hr, bn) 22' Commissioned by Fundación Juan March Première: Quinteto Pablo Sorozabal - May 1992, Musikaste in Errenteria
Sorginkeriak (1995) for small ensemble (fl, cl, vn, vc, p, vibraphone) 12' Première: Ensemble Barcelona 216, cond: E. Martínez Izquierdo - March 1996, Ars Musica in Brussels
Seaska Kanta (Berceuse) (1998) for flute & string quintet (or string orchestra) 2'
Ur Loak (1998) for bass flute, contrabass clarinet, two string quintets & two percussions 16' Commissioned by Joven Orquesta Nacional de España Première: Joven Orquesta Nacional de España, cond: J. Caballé - October 1998, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid
[edit] Music for solo instruments
Aztarnak (2000) for accordion 7' Commissioned by the "Asociación de Acordeonistas del País Vasco" Première: Iñaki Alberdi - November 2001, Barcelona
Ekhiez (1988) for piano (left hand) 3' Première: Albert Nieto - 1989
Ezkil (2002) for guitar (with quarter-tone scordatura) 6' Commissioned by Instituto Valenciano de la Música; Première: José Luis Ruiz del Puerto - December 2002, Palau de la Musica in Valencia
Gentle Sway (2002) for piano* 2' Commissioned by the ABRSM (London)
Ilargi Uneak (1996) for piano: 1. Izar 2. Ekhi (left hand) 3. Urtzi, 8' Première: Patrick Zygmanowski - 2000, Paris
Otoitz (1996) for clarinet 6'
Presencia (in memoriam Joaquin Homs) (2005) for piano 3' Première: Jordi Masó, 2006
Seaska Kanta (Berceuse) (1998) for piano 2'
Sonatine (1996) for quarter-tone tuned guitar 6' Première: Caroline Delume - March 2003, Paris
Sorgindantza (2000) for organ 3' Première: Hervé Désarbre - 2001
Suziri (1999) for piano 2' Première: Ananda Sukarlan - juin 2000, Alicante
Zintzilik (2005) for piano 4 hands 2'
Zortziko (2000) for piano* 2' Commissioned by the ABRSM Première: Thalia Myers - April 2001, London
Bakarrizketa
- Bakarrizketa 2 (1993) for guitar 11' Première: Eugenio Tobalina - 1994
- Bakarrizketa 3 (1996) for flute 5' Première: Machiko Takahashi - 1997, Amsterdam
- Bakarrizketa 4 (2000) for piano 12' Commissioned by Quincena Musical de San Sebastián; Première: Jean-François Heisser - August 2000, Kursaal Hall in San Sebastián
[edit] Vocal Music
Auhen Kantuak (1993-95, 1997) for choirs & orchestra (2.2.4.0-4.2.3.0-perc-0.0.10.8.4) Leonard Bernstein - Jerusalem Prize (ex-aequo with P. Dusapin) Lyrics based upon Jeremiah's Lamentations and translated into Basque by Itxaro Borda. seven movements version 55' five movements version 40' Première: Kodaly Choir of Debrecen, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, cond: Mendi Rodan - December 1997, Henry Crown Hall in Jérusalem
Canciones de Ausencia (1999) for voice, guitar & cello. Poems by Miguel Hernández 9' Première: Caroline Potrel, Justine Laurenceau, Philippe Mouratoglou - September 1999, Festival Musica in Strasburg
Cinco poemas de Luis Cernuda (2000-02) for voice and cello octet 14' 1. El Prisinoero 2. El Viento y el Alma 3. Instrumento Musico 4. El Sino 5. El Intruso Commissioned by the Centro para la Difusión de la Música Contemporánea Première: Pilar Jurado, Conjunto Ibérico de Violoncellos, cond: E. Arizcuren - October 2001, Alicante Festival
Les Djinns (1993) for children choir & wind orchestra. Poem by Victor Hugo. 35' Commissioned by the ADIAM for the choirs of the colleges of the Yvelines Première: June 1993, Marly-le-Roi
The Epilogue (1999) for male choir & ensemble 15' (2 fl, 2 hb, 2 cl, 2 bcl, trp, perc, cymb, hrpd, 4 db). Lyrics fromThe Tempest by Shakespeare Commissioned by Eusko Jaurlaritzako Kultur Saila Première: Ensemble du CNR de Strasbourg, cond: R. Lazkano - September 1999, Festival Musica in Strasburg Hiru seaska kanta eta etsipen abesti bat (1991) for voice & string quartett 12'
Infantia Mea (2004) for eight mixed voices. Lyrics by Saint Augustin. 6'
Leherketa batetako hotsak (1988) for baryton, narrator & ensemble 17' (2 bcl, cb cl, 2 hr, tb, 2 vc, db, 2 perc). Poem by Patxi Ezkiaga. Première: June 1989, Radio France in Paris
Malkoak euri balira (2005) for 12 voices and guitar. Poem by Xabier Lete. 19' Commissioned by the Strasburg Chamber Choir Création: Strasburg Chamber Choir, guitar: P. Márquez, cond: Catherine Bolzinger - 6 October 2005, Musica Festival of Strasbourg
Madrigal (1991) for five voices. Lyrics by Catule, Cernuda & Gil de Biedma. 10' Commissioned by the Ensemble Territoires Première: Ens. Territoires, cond: Denis Laborde - January 1992, Paris
Otoitz baten gisan (2003) for baryton and orgue. Basque poem by Xabier Lete 23' Commissioned by the Pagoarte Association Première: F. Latorre, O. Candendo - March 2004, St. Esteban Church of Oiartzun
[edit] Orchestrations
Mussorgsky Songs & Dances of Death for voice & orchestra (1994) Commissioned by the Saint-Denis Festival Première: D. Hvorostovsky, Orchestre Symphonqiue de Picardie, cond: Louis Langrée - July 1994
Lorca Canciones Antiguas Españolas for voice & ensemble (fl/alto fll, cl/bcl, horn, guit, vn, va, vc)(1996) Commissioned by the State (France) for the Ensemble Alternance
