Joan

Joan Balcells Garcia

Barcelona , 2 March 1882
Barcelona , 26 May 1972

Composer and Performer

Composer and conductor

He was a pupil of Antoni Nicolau and Eusebi Daniel in harmony and counterpoint and fugue at the Escola Municipal de Música of Barcelona. He also received lessons from Joan Lamote de Grignon and Lluís Millet. In 1912, he became professor of Solfeig at the Escola Municipal, a post he hold until his retirement. That same year, he was also appointed Kapellmeister at Sant Felip Neri. He is renowned for founding the Orfeó Gracienc in 1904 and conducting it until 1945. During his years as conductor, the Orfeó performed with the symphony orchestra of the Musical Association of Barcelona and was conducted by internationally renowned conductors. He also collaborated conducting choirs with the Orquestra Pau Casals in different institutional ceremonies of the Second Spanish Republic and in the Festival of the International Society of Contemporary Music (1936). His output includes a capella vocal music, music for voice and accompaniment and music for choir and cobla. He also wrote numerous sardanes and two pieces of lyrical theatre.