| Antoni Martorell
born in Mallorca (Montuïri) in 1913. At the age of five he begins his music studies. Later he enrols at the Official Music Conservatory of Balearis Islands, subsequently obtaining the Higher Piano Diploma at the Conservatory of Valencia.
He moves to Italy (Rome), where he studies music composition, music forms, Gregorian chant, organ and orchestration with the maestros DOBICI, CASIMIRI, REFICE, VIGNANELLI, SUÑOL, GAJARD, MORRICONE, HIGINI ANGLES, etc. His academic thesis deals with subject “Gregorian forms in the hymnody of Tomás Luis de Victoria”.
In Rome, after completing his music studies and obtaining the titles of Composer, Master of Gregorian Chant and Organist, he commences an intense artistic activity and an extensive music teaching career as professor of several institutes and associations and he contributes regularly to magazines and all types of music publications in Rome, Milan, Madrid, the USA, etc.
He is appointed incumbent Organist of Saint Susanna, the national church of the United States in Rome, a post which he holds for almost 40 years. He is appointed Conductor of Choral music at the “Pontifical North American College” of the Vatican, a post which he holds for 15 years; he is head of music and conductor at the parish church of The Nativity, organist at Sant Quirico and at the Basilica of the Saints Cosme and Damian in the same city.
Antoni Martorell is a Full Member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Sebastián of Palma, Illustrious Son of Montuïri, his birth town, has been awarded the “Gold Medal for Merit” of the Island Council of Mallorca and the “Gold Medal” of the Autonomous Community of Balearic Islands. Honoured with the “Josep Maria Llompart” award of the Balearic Cultural Society. Martorell is Doctor Honoris Causa for the Balearic Islands University, and “Magister Ordinis” of the Tertius Franciscan . |
