Manuel Gregorio Tavarez Manuel Gregorio Tavarez (November 16, 1843 - July 1, 1883), born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was Puerto Rico's first renowned classical and danza composer and the inspiration behind future generations of composers. He began his musical studies in San Juan. Among his first teachers ere Jose Cabrizas and Domingo Delgado. Tavarez became an accomplished pianist at an early age. With a scholorship granted by "The Economic Society of Friends of Puerto Rico" (La Sociedad Economica Amigos del Pais), he was able to enroll and study music in the Music Conservatory of Paris at the age of 15. Tavarz studied under the guidance of Auber and D'Albert. While in France, Tavarez suffered a stroke which left his hand partially paralyized. Tavarez returned to Puerto Rico because of his health problems. He settled down in Ponce where he gave piano lessons. He was able to overcome his health problems and began to put on musical concerts of his compositions. Tavarez is considered to be Puerto Rico's first Romanticism era composer. He also composed music of other genders as well. Among his best known works was the funeral March: "Rendencion" (Redemtion) dedicated to honor the memory of Jose Campeche, the Rapsody, "Souvener de Puerto Rico", and his Danzas: "Recuerdos de Antaño" (Remembrance of Yester-year) and what is considered his greatest work "Margarita. The music created by Tavarez would always be recognized as an integaral part of Puerto Rican culture. Tavarez is known as the "Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas". Among his most distinguihed discipules was the composer Juan Morel Campos. His daughter Elisa Tavarez would also become an accomplished pianist. Manuel Gregorio Tavarez died on July 1, 1883 in the City of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Tavarez has been honored by the Government of Puerto Rico with the naming of public buildings and institutions after him. In San Juan there is a theatre named after him. His music can still be appreciated in concerts today. See also List of famous Puerto Ricans FAVORITE ARTICLES: History of the World    History of the United States    History of Europe    Ancient History    History    Military History    World War I    Bombing of Dresden    California    US Constitution    Frank Sinatra    Boston    Marbury v. Madison This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Gregorio_Tavarez