Joan Albert Amargós
Composer / conductor
Joan Albert Amargós was born in Barcelona, where he later studied music in the Superior Conservatory of Music in Liceu. Amargós is an accomplished performer on both the piano and clarinet, and continues to combine the activities of composer, symphonic musician and chamber music performer.
Amargós has composed music for film, theater, television and the dance, and has exhibited tremendous versatility and creativity as an arranger and orchestrator. Amargós was also one of the founding members (and versatile keyboardist) of the Jazz-Prog Rock band Musica Urbaná, with whom he recorded two discs – both of which feature several of his compositions.
Other works of Amargós have been recorded by the Harmonia Mundi, including his chamber opera Eurídice y los títeres de Caronte (Euridice and Charon's puppets) and his Clarinet Concerto along with various chamber works for winds.
As an arranger, Amargós was the winner six years in row (from 2000 to 2005), in the category of “Best Arranger” category of Premios de la Música de España Awards, celebrated in Madrid. And most recently, he has received a Grammy nomination in the “Best Classical Contemporary Composition” category for his NORTHERN CONCERTO performed by recorder soloist, Michala Petri and the Danish National Orchestra directed by Lan Shui.
“Spanish composer Joan Albert Amargos has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with his Northern Concerto (2005), it is dramatic, bold and exciting with plenty of appealing, even lush, musical passages…” – AllMusic Guide
“Joan Albert Amargós' three-movement Northern Concerto provides the recorder with limber, jazzy melodies that effortlessly float in, around, and above an orchestral canvas that allows all participants to shine, collectively and individually. .. Don’t miss this stunning release!” – Classics Today
“Michala Petri is clearly an excellent musician, and the Danish National Symphony is a highly disciplined, competent ensemble. If you like challenging new music that is not academic, but still brilliantIy conceived, find this!”
– American Record Guide