Harold Gramatges was born in Santiago de Cuba, on September 26th, 1918. He was one of the most important representatives of Cuban musical creation in the 20^th century. His pedagogical work represents a contribution music teaching in Cuba.

This composer, pianist and pedagogue started his musical studies at the Beaux-Arts Conservatory located in his birthplace, then he continued in Havana with Amadeo Roldán, and in the United States he studied composition with Aarón Copland and conduction with Serge Koussevitsky.

His work catalogue comprises symphonic, chamber, and choral music, also including music for piano, guitar; songs and ballets for movies and theater.

He founded and conducted the Juvenile Orchestra of the Municipal Conservatory of Havana from 1944 to 1948, and he acted as Deputy Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Havana. He founded the Group for Musical Renovation in the 1940s decade and he also was the President of the Nuestro Tiempo Cultural Foundation for ten years.      

During his wide musical career, he was bestowed with several awards and decorations in Cuba and abroad.     

This prolific and creative artist passed away in Havana, on December 18^th, 2008, but he left an important and wide legacy for concert music.

Translated by Armando Hernández Vizoso 

 Edited by Francisco Martínez Chao