Person
Fernández Bordas, Antonio (1870-1950)Other forms
Ourense (España) 1870-01-12 - Madrid (España) 1950-02-18
Spanish violinist, teacher, and tutor. He was born on January 12 of 1870 in Ourense (Spain). Pupil of Pablo Sarasate and Jesús de Monasterio.
He took his first music classes with Antonio Fernández, choirmaster at Ourense's Cathedral and his uncle. At the age of seven he offered his first concert in Pontevedra. He moved to Madrid and attended the Conservatory. He studied music theory, harmony, and violin with Jesús Monasterio. He won the First Violin Prize for his performance of the "Concierto para violin" by Mendelssohn. Pablo Sarasate and Emilio Arrieta were on the jury.
He used the stage name of Niño de Benavente in his first concert at the Príncipe Alfonso Theatre in Madrid. He played with the Orquesta de la Sociedad de Conciertos under the conduting of Luigi Mancinelli. He also gave concerts with the Philharmonic, Symphonic and Lasalle orchestras. At the time, he obtained a doctorate in Law from the Central University of Madrid. As a soloist, he participated in recitals with renowned musicians such as Pau Casals, Enrique Granados, or Pablo Sarasate, in Germany, France, and England. He also formed a trio with Anton Hekking and Harold Bauer.
In 1907 he replaced Jesús Monasterio as professor at the Conservatory of Madrid. In this centre, in 1910, he worked as secretary, and as headmaster between 1921 and 1940. He wrote to Falla on several occasions as a representative of the Conservatory. He was the first violin of the Royal Chapel and academic of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. He read the entrance speech from him, on June 11 of 1916, titled: "Los instrumentos de arco. Tres momentos interesantes de su evolución". He died on February 18 of 1950, at the age of 80 in the Spanish capital.