Jorge Morel
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Jorge Scibona (9 May 1931 – 10 February 2021), known professionally as Jorge Morel, was a classical guitarist and composer from Argentina.
Biography
Morel was born in
Morel left Argentina to perform in Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba, where he recorded his first solo LP and was featured in a weekly TV show. Vladimir Bobri, then President of the Classical Guitar Society in New York, lent his recognition and support to Morel after hearing him perform in Puerto Rico. This led to concert engagements in California and Hawaii and Morel's eventual debut at Carnegie Hall in 1961. At this time, he recorded his second LP for Decca Records and subsequently recorded three more albums. Morel appeared at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Wigmore Hall in London, National Concert Hall in Dublin, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Over the years he performed in many countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Singapore, Germany and more.
After moving to
Morel continued to solidify his reputation as a performing artist and composer with the premiere of Suite del Sur (a concerto for guitar and orchestra), which he performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta. He continued his study of composition for a number of years with teacher, author, conductor and arranger Rudy Schramm.
Legacy
Through his original compositions and arrangements, Jorge Morel has substantially added to the repertoire for classical guitar while consistently challenging traditional, technical, and stylistic limitations. His mastery of the technical combined with intimate knowledge of the physical and acoustical characteristics of the instrument have resulted in an innovative approach to the complex task of composing for the classical guitar. His ability to blend his love for Latin American rhythmic textures and sophisticated jazz harmonies permeates his work with a musical imagination, attested to by the many artists worldwide who have recorded his works.
Names such as
Morel is also recognised for his teaching and commitment to new musicians.
References
Moran, J. Vincent. Jorge Morel: The Remarkable Journey of a Legendary Guitarist/Composer. Second edition, 2020.
www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/jorge-morel-revered-classical-guitarist-and-composer-dies-at-89/2021/02/14/5ad75120-6d43-11eb-9f80-3d7646ce1bc0_story.html
External links
- Some photos of LP covers[permanent dead link] (Oviatt Library Digital Collections)
- Artist Profile: Jorge Morel Nov 21, 2006 (Classical Guitar Alive!) mp3
- Jorge Morel discography at Discogs