Azpiazu José de – El Vito
José de Azpiazu (b. Onante, May 26, 1912 – 1986) is a a Spanish (Basque) composer, arranger and guitarist.
He started to study the guitar at the age of 13 under the guidance of his uncle and whilst still in
his teens was asked to perform at festivals in his native town of San Sebastian, but, although these appearances met with success he spent most of his time developing his talents for painting. At the age of 17 he won first prize for designing and painting at the School of Modern Arts in San Sebastian. By the time he was 20 he was a member of the Committee of the Basque Folklore Society.
At the age of 24, Azpiazu made his debut on Radio Bilbao and started his professional career as a guitarist. Touring the north of Spain his success as a concert artist induced him to abandon his other activities and devote himself entirely to music. Another extensive tour of Spain brought him several offers from other countries but World War II prevented his departure from Spain. In 1950 he went to Switzerland where he gave concerts in Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Berne and Basle in addition to making records and broadcasting. Following successful concert tours of France he returned to Switzerland to accept a Professorship at the Geneva Conservatoire of Music.
Jose de Azpiazu is a prolific arranger and composer of guitar music (published Symphonia Verlag, Basle) and in 1954 his “Suite in C” won first prize for composition in the International Competition held in Modena (Italy) by the International Society of Guitarists.
Piano | Beethoven van Ludwig – Fur Elise
Guitar | Reginald Smith Brindle – Sonata “El Verbo”
