Colombian Conductor and Composer Alberto Guzmán Naranjo has Died

Guzmán Naranjo made a substantial contribution to the University of Valle in Colombia

Alberto Guzmán Naranjo, a conductor and composer who spent much of his working life at Colombia's University of Valle, has passed away.

Guzmán Naranjo began his studies in Valle, where he studied with Léon J. Simar. He then went on to Paris, where he studied orchestral conducting under Dominique Rouits at the École Normal de Paris and then at the Center d'Études Polyphoniques de Paris under Henri Claude Fantapié.

During this time, he won first prize in the Jeune Philharmonie du Val de Marne competition, following a unanimous vote by the jury.

Guzmán Naranjo also furthered his studies in composition, and was taught by Pierre Doury, Pierre Boulez, and Dominique Jameux.

Following his return to Valle to take up a teaching position, Guzmán Naranjo trained thousands of students over the next few decades. He was director of the Antioquia Symphony Orchestra, the Valle Symphony Band, and of the Bogotá Lyric Company.

As a conductor, Guzmán Naranjo also made guest appearances with the Colombia Symphony, the Medellín Philharmonic, and the Valle Symphony. He also conducted choirs, including the Great Choir of the University of Valle, and was founder and director of Ensemble Sequentia.

Guzmán Naranjo is survived by his wife Ximena, and his children Isabel and Matías. Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.