| Valentino Miserachs Grau was born in Sant Marti de Sesgueioles in Cataluna – Spain. During his lifetime he has always alternated the musical studies with the theological, philosophical and humanistic ones. In 1963 he moved to Rome to study theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University where he in 1967, after his priestly ordination, he obtained a licentiate in sacred theology and, in the musical field, he obtained a licentiate in Gregorian chant as well as sacred composition at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. Further he graduated in composition, organ and organist composition with full marks from the "N. Piccinni" Conservatory of Bari. He was appointed organist of the Giulia Chapel in St. Peter’s and since 1977 he has been maestro di cappella of the Liberian Musical Chapel of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, for which he composed a lot of works for the solemn liturgical services. He is Most Reverend Canon of the Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Honour Prelate of His Sanctity and Prothonotary Apostolical.
At the Conservatory "E. R. Duni" of Matera he served as a teacher in composition and in 1995 he was named dean of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music (PIMS), a post he still occupies and where he teaches Composition and Polyphony.
His wide ranging composing production includes oratorios Isaia, Stephanus, Beata Virgo Maria Ecclesiæ Christi typus et mater, Mil Anys, for soli, choirs and orchestra, the symphonic poem Nadal, the Suite Manresana for grand orchestra, the Concertino for organ and strings orchestra, a lot of liturgy and sacred music in Latin and in the modern languages, choral and instrumental music (organ, piano, chamber music), lieder, folk, for brass ensembles, etc.
He also served as a jury members of international choir and composition contests in Italy and abroad. His works appeared as CD recordings for the publishers Carrara, Edizioni Paoline and LDC of Turin, as well as for the Liberian Music Chapel Editions.
Besides the official conduction at the Liberian Chapel, he also held concerts as an organist and as conductor of choral and orchestra works during the holy services mostly by performing his own compositions.
Among others he was awarded the titel of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of the Republic of France, the Encomienda de Alfonso X el Sabio of the State of Spain and the Creu de Sant Jordi of the Generalitat de Catalunya. He is honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of the Virtuosi at Pantheon. |
