Josep

Josep Barba Bendad

Josep Barba Beudad

Barcelona , 6 April 1804
Barcelona , 3 February 1881

Composer

Composer

He began his studies of organ and composition with F. Sampere at Santa Maria del Pi (Barcelona). With 19 years, he won the examination for Kapellmeister of the same church but could not be appointed for not having been ordained. Thus, he went to Castelló d'Empúries and later Girona, where he was ordained in 1829. In Girona, he promoted musical life with the creation of an orchestra and an Italian opera house, which caused some tensions with the bishopric. After competitive examination in Valladolid and Seville, in 1850 he was appointed Kapellmeister at Santa Maria del Mar (Barcelona), a position he would hold until his death. He was a prolific composer of sacred music of all genres (Latin, Spanish and Catalan). In addition, an unpublished pedagogical work has survived. His output is held in several Catalan ecclesiastical archives. He taught musicians such as Leandre Sunyer, Joan Carreras, Llorenç Pagans, Domènec Murtra and Bernat Papell.