Biography Carlos Micháns

1 biography

1.1 years in argentina
1.2 changing plans
1.3 netherlands: new beginning

biography
early years in argentina

born in buenos aires middle-class family spanish, french, english, scottish , north american (usa) ancestry, micháns started taking piano , theory lessons @ seven, gave after few years. according composer himself, found theory , solfège boring , wanted play heard , compose own tunes. @ twelve decided give himself second chance , returned piano , theory lessons. never again stopped studying until graduated university. still teenager, encouraged piano teacher almah melgar play own compositions @ yearly students concerts held @ well-known piano shop in downtown buenos aires. first taste of success, though brief , modest, made him decide become composer. however, first lessons in composition @ seventeen roberto garcía morillo, major figure in argentine music, did not prove great success, micháns attributed teacher’s lack of pedagogical skill , insight. @ same time studied harmony, counterpoint , fugue susana oliveto, young , knowledgeable woman composer become true musical mentor , lifelong friend. in 1967 granted two-year scholarship almah melgar enabled him study organ husband carlos larrimbe, renowned choir conductor , organist @ st. saviour’s church in buenos aires. prospective of future organist , eventual successor teacher, however, came abrupt end when latter succumbed massive heart attack less year later. disorientated sudden change of scenario, nevertheless continued studies of choir , orchestra conducting @ university of buenos aires , art institute of argentina s major opera house, teatro colón, completed simultaneously in 1973.

changing plans

almost of job @ theater once graduated, hopes again cut short new blow of fate. political unrest in argentina in 1970s , return power of corrupt peronist regime brought reorganization of theater , reincorporation of staff dismissed former board of directors. caused pedro valenti costa, head of art institute , directly responsible micháns’ eventual appointment assistant conductor, resign. few years of uncertainty future followed, during took drawing , sculpting (he held couple of public exhibitions) , enrolled in faculty of veterinary, believed might provide safer source of income in cattle-land argentina. new venture, however, short lived, , quit faculty after few months, during constant demonstrations militant peronist youth on 1 hand , aggressive indoctrination left-wing teachers on other, made studying impossible. in 1976, micháns decided return music , managed secure monthly salary music teacher, later traded more lucrative , relaxed position private english teacher. although never ceased compose, output limited (partly due lack of time) , hardly ever played, except few minor pieces piano, organ , choir. significant breakthrough performance in 1981 of 3 pieces chamber orchestra national symphonic orchestra, which, although warmly reviewed, later discarded.

the netherlands: new beginning

back short visit netherlands in 1981, micháns applied scholarship dutch government enable him free himself work , other obligations , concentrate purely on composition. although scholarship came through, sudden outbreak of falkland war threatened frustrate plans once again (the netherlands natural allies british). obtained permit after argentina’s defeat , left netherlands in august 1982. @ utrecht conservatorium, @ time 1 of netherlands’ prestigious , international music schools, took lessons hans kox, joep straesser, ton bruynèl (electronic music) , tristan keuris. during new phase adult student (he thirty two), micháns not concentrate on composition, had hoped, explore other styles , composition techniques. after obtaining diploma in 1987 decided become dutch citizen. has resided in utrecht ever since. since 2011, however, divides time between netherlands , france, where, apart composing, organises concerts , participates in other cultural activities, in northeastern region of champagne-ardenne.