José Maquieira

Category: Musician (Celtic harp)
Birth Place: Vigo (Pontevedra)
Correo electrónico: 
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 Curriculum

He devoted his musical career to the recovery and introduction of Celtic harp as a soloist, providing new musical concepts and combining authentic traditions and classic and contemporary pieces, applying the splendour of harp and increasing the possibilities of this instrument.
He studied Music by means of a grant (Xunta de Galicia) at the Clarsach Society, graduating with the best qualifications and honourable mention and being awarded important prizes in international contests. Allison Kinnaird, who recovered the harp in Scotland, William Taylor (USA), Kim Robertson (Ireland), Savurna Stevenson and Harvi Griffin, experts in jazz and impromptu, contributed to his education. He also attended master classes in classic technique by Catrina Yeats (Denmark Symphonic Orchestra), and Edward Witsemburgh (Professor of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague – Holland).

 Work & Activities

He specialized in music therapy with the music of the harp from the Hebridean Islands, where there are beautiful melodies full of mystery and spirituality. He was invited to participate as an interpreter and Professor in many festivals of different musical styles such as the XVII, XVIII, XX and XXI Edinburgh International Harp Festival (United Kingdom), XI and XII Festival of the Celtic World in Ortigueira, “O Mundo em Braga” (Portugal), Premier Encontre Bretón-Galicien and the IX Keltiche Tage am Bodensee (Switzerland).

 Other Interesting Aspects

He collaborated and acted for the most important institutions promoting this instrument such as the British Council, Scottish Arts Council, Gaelic Broadcasting Board and Castles of Scotland Preservation Trust, Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races and Liga Céltica Galaica. He was the winner of the E. A. Hyllestead Harp Trophy for professionals promoted by the Gaelica Royal Society of Scotland.