Jesús De Monasterio

The most noted composition by Monasterio was "Adios a la Alhambra" for violin and piano which Meyerbeer lauded in 1862 after hearing its performance in Berlin. Monasterio was more important for his organ playing and his advocacy of instrumental music in Spain than for his compositions. Though he wrote some religious pieces his works for violin and chamber ensembles helped to spread these genres throughout Spain. Monasterio was a child prodigy and student of Beriot who became an honorary violinist of the royal chapel and professor of the violin at the Madrid Conservatory. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi