Alirio Diaz, a lover of guitar
We must remember the guitarist Alirio Diaz who died in Italy last July 5, 2016, with 92 years.
The amazing guitarist Alirio Diaz died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, in Italy, at the age of 92 years. He was a person whose land was deeply rooted to him culturally and emotionally; for that reason, according to his wishes, he will be buried in Carora (Venezuela), his homeland.
He was a guitarist who has become a living guitar legend. In addition, he has increased the long list of artists who are not among us anymore and have contributed to the art of six-stringed instrument.
The career of Alirio Diaz was brilliant from the beginning, although possibly, he took a special nuance when he moved to Europe. In 1953, at the "Conservatory of Music and Declamation", he was a disciple of the well-renowned Regino Sainz de la Maza, who was considered his teacher and had high recognition.
In an interview in 2003, people define Sainz de la Maza as a great guitarist and composer; adding that in addition to presenting the Aranjuez Concert of Rodrigo, he “had to be his advisor in the composition" of the famous guitar and orchestra concert.
One year later, in Siena (Italy), he attended the master classes of Andrés Segovia, who describes Diaz as a classical guitar promise. It was evidenced a couple of years later, since Segovia appointed him as his assistant, so Alirio Diaz stopped being pupil in order to act as a substitute of Segovia.
About Alirio Díaz, we can find an interesting biographical study, which was performed by the Italian guitarist Stefano Picciano. This study was titled "Alirio Diaz, between popular music and classical music", and it explains how popular music has influenced on the artistic career of this amazing Venezuelan teacher.
In fact, the book begins with the phrase: "On seeing the smoke from the native village", words which are also found in the autobiography of the Venezuelan artist and reflect the roots and his love for his origins.
A reality which was manifested by means of his concerts and recordings, when the popular music was included. Some pieces were adapted for guitar by Vicente Emilio Sojo or by himself, and other parts by Venezuelan composers.
In his concerts, the “joropos”, merengue, popular songs and Venezuelan waltzes of Antonio Lauro were very popular. These styles were joined the repertoire with Tárrega, Sor, Bach, Moreno Torroba or the South American composers, Agustin Barrios and Villa Lobos.
It is important to mention that since 1974, the "International Guitar Competition Alirio Diaz" is celebrated in the Carora city in order to pay tribute to the brilliant career of the Venezuelan musician, and promote the international guitar school.
From Alhambra Guitars, we regret this loss in the guitar world and show our respect by means of this brief homage in order to recognise his life consecrated to music.
