Daniel Alomía Robles

Born:

August 7, 1871, Huánuco, Peru

Died:

July 17, 1942, Lima, Peru

Nationality:

Peruvian

Profession(s):

Composer, Ethnomusicologist, Musicologist

Early Life and Education

• Received early musical training from Manuel Telló.
• Studied medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of San Fernando (now the National University of San Marcos), but left before graduating.
• His interest in indigenous Peruvian music developed during his travels and research in the Andes.

Career and Major Achievements

• Dedicated his life to the study and preservation of Peruvian folk music, particularly that of the Inca civilization.
• Collected and transcribed hundreds of indigenous melodies and rhythms.
• Founded the National Academy of Music in Lima (later the National Conservatory of Music) in 1920.
• Returned to Peru in 1933 after living in the United States for several years.
• The creation of his work El Cóndor Pasa is a key milestone in Daniel Alomía Robles biography and the recognition of Peruvian music internationally.

Notable Works

• Operettas:
  • El Cóndor Pasa (1913)
  • Illa Cori
  • Yaravíes del Chimborazo
• Other Compositions: Composed over 700 musical works, including songs, dances, and orchestral pieces based on indigenous Peruvian melodies.
• Ethnomusicological Research: Extensive collections and transcriptions of indigenous Peruvian folk music.

Legacy and Impact

Daniel Alomía Robles is remembered as a pioneering figure in Peruvian music, whose work helped to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Andes. El Cóndor Pasa, in particular, has achieved global recognition and become a symbol of Peruvian identity.

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