Fabini, [Félix] Eduardo (1882–1950)

[Félix] Eduardo Fabini (b. 18 May 1882; d. 17 May 1950), Uruguayan composer and violinist. Born in Solís de Mataojo, Lavalleja, Fabini studied violin with Romeo Masi at the Conservatorio La Lira in Montevideo; he also received instruction under Virgilio Scarabelli and Manuel Pérez Badía. At the age of eighteen Fabini entered the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and enrolled in the classes of César Thomson (violin) and Auguste de Boeck (composition). In 1904 he was awarded the first prize with distinction in violin. Upon his return to Uruguay he gave recitals and performed chamber music in Montevideo. During his years in Brussels Fabini began to compose works for piano and guitar based on tunes, rhythms, and dances from the folk traditions of his homeland. With Alfonso Broqua and Luis Cluzeau-mortet, he became a major exponent of musical nationalism in Uruguay. His best-known work is the symphonic poem Campo. Premiered by Vladimir Shavitch on 29 April 1922, it is considered Uruguay's major nationalist work of the period. Richard Strauss conducted it in Buenos Aires in 1923. Campo and La isla de los ceibos (1924–1926), another symphonic poem, were recorded by RCa Victor in the United States. Mañana de Reyes (1936–1937), Melga sinfónica (1931), and the ballet Mburucuyá (1933) completed Fabini's symphonic production. He also composed several tristes for piano and voice. He died in Montevideo.

See alsoMusic: Art Music; Music: Popular Music and Dance; Uruguay: The Twentieth Century.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Roberto E. Lagarmilla, Eduardo Fabini: Músico nacional uruguayo (1954); New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, vol. 6 (1980).

Susana Salgado, Breve historia de la mú sica culta en el Uruguay, 2d ed. (1980).

Additional Bibliography

Barrios Pintos, Aníbal. Eduardo Fabini Montevideo: Arca, 1978.

Paraskevaídis, Graciela. Eduardo Fabini: La obra sinfónica. Montevideo: Ediciones Tacuabé; Ediciones Trilce, 1992.

                                          Susana Salgado