AITA MADINA (1907 - 1972)

Aita (Father) Madina was born in Oñati. At an early age he joined the Order of the Lateran Canons. He did his ecclesiatical studies in Burgos where he met José María Beobide who started him in his musical studies. He became ordained in 1929 and in 1932 was sent by his Order to Argentina where he remained until 1955. In 1955 he was sent to New York where he lived until shortly before his death. He died in Oñati.

He was a prolific composer throughout his live. While living in Argentina, first in Salta and later in Buenos Aires, he composed works based both on the Argentinian and Basque folk lines. A fervent Basque patriot, he gathered around him the group of people who went on to create the SASKI NASKI show, a theatrical representation of Basque folklore. Among his collaborators were the Argentinian composers Ernesto Mastronardi and Francisco Balguer and the Basque sculptor Nestor Basterretxea.

In New York he was the organist of the Church Our Lady of the Divine Conception in Albany. It was here that his works started gaining recognition. They were championed by the harpist Nicanor Zabaleta, another Basque exile, and the Andalousian guitarrists, Los Romeros who premiered his Basque Concert fot 4 guitars in San Francisco in 1970, the San Francisco S.O. being conducted by Arthur Fielder. He also worked as a musical presenter in the Voice of America. In 1964, the University of New York, dedicated him a monographic concert.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Ar018 F. MADINA ARANTZAZU (1956)
Choral Symphonic Poem - Poema Sinfoniko Korala - Poema sinfónico coral. O. S. CIUTAT DE BARCELONA, Oñatiko Korala, Elgoibarko Koru Parrokiala. L Ordoki, sopranoa; I Murua, tenorea; A Iriondo, baritonoa Zuz/dir J.K. Irizar.

aAr038 Nº 2 Aita MADINA The New York recordings
Orreaga; Tres Canciones Españolas; In Memoriam President Kennedy. Endecha - Artzain Baten Eriotzeran; Salmo Ecuménico; Christmas songs (selección); Pastoral (piano); Agur.

aArus015 A. Madina Christmas Songs I and II
J. Guridi Canciones Infantiles
MUSIKABI. (zuz/dir. Iñaki Cárcamo)

Arus028 Aita Madina Arparako Musika—Música para ArpaSonata Vasca (1947); Suite para Arpa; Suite Infantil para arpa.Cristina Sánchez Cuétara, arpa.

aArus042 Aita Madina Piano Musika
2 Toccatinas - 10 Piezas infantiles - 6 Short pieces – Danza.
Cristina Navajas, piano.

aArus070 SASKI NASKI - Incidental music played in two pianos. Works by Aita Madina, Ernesto Mastronardi, Francisco Balaguer and José Uruñuela. duo Aristizabal - Barandiaran


 

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Father Madina's Allegro from His Sonata Vasca para Arpa, played by Cristina Sánchez