Raúl Viela 

BIOGRAPHY

His training began at the Conservatory of Music of Huesca, city where he was born. There he carries out the Elementary and Middle Degrees with J. Mª. Casamayor. Later on, he accedes and finishes the Superior Studies in the Real Superior Conservatory of Music of Madrid under the chair of D. Ballesteros. He also holds a degree in History and Music Sciences from the ‘La Rioja’ University and a Master in Musical Research at the International Valencia University. Ana Jenaro also has a decisive impact on his training.

He has given numerous concerts as a soloist. His collaborations with different institutions and festivals have led him to perform concerts in more than twenty countries in Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. His music has sounded for all kinds of audiences, from countries where the classical guitar had never been heard until his performance for the Head of State of Canada.

He published in 2019 the CD The triumphant guitar (LMG 2160), based on a homonymous article by Adolfo Salazar in the newspaper El Sol (1925). It presents the rise, splendor and consolidation of concert guitar in Spain around 1900. In 2007 he took part in the recording of another album during the celebration of the V International Festival of Contemporary Classical Music in Lima (Peru), with music by authors honored at said Festival.

He develops his pedagogical role at some conservatories in Aragon and Madrid. He has been a guest professor on several occasions: Zarautz Guitar Festival (San Sebastián), International meeting Ciudad de Guía (Gran Canaria), University of Bilkent (Turkey), a master class in Praia (Cape Verde), a master class in Karachi (Pakistan), Universo Pujol (Lérida), etc. He is founder, deputy director and member of the managing and scientific council of the Gaspar Sanz Institute (Center for Musicological Studies). He also participates in the organizing committee of the “Gaspar Sanz” Guitar Festival.

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As a soloist, he has been awarded in numerous competitions among which are: First Prize at the XVIII International Festival “Martín Códax” (Cuenca), First Prize at XII Guitar Competition of Cantabria (Comillas), “Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo” Prize at the XLIII “Music in Compostela” Course (Santiago de Compostela), First Prize at the IX Zarautz Guitar Festival (San Sebastián). In parallel to his work as a soloist, he participates regularly in various Chamber music formations. These include his work with the Terpsícore Guitar Quartet, with which he has performed the world premiere of many works, has recorded several CDs and has given concerts in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.