Enrique Fernández Arbos

Violinist, conductor, and composer Enrique Fernández Arbós was a major figure in late 19th and early 20th century musical life, both within and beyond Spain. Fernández Arbós was born in Madrid on December 24, 1863. He landed a plum position as concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic in 1882. He returned to Spain, performing as a soloist and forming a Society for Chamber Music and a variety of chamber groups. His Tres Piezas en estilo español for piano trio, Op. 1, was written during this period. From 1894 to 1915, Fernández Arbós was professor of violin and viola at the Royal College of Music in London. Fernández Arbós conducted the Spanish premiere of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in 1932. Fernández Arbós died in San Sebastián, Spain, on June 2, 1939. The Tres Piezas en estilo español were performed by the Hermitage Trio on its 2023 release Spanish Impressions.