A Spanish composer born November 28, 1931 in Ruidoms (Spain).
A pianist by training, Joan Guinjoan studied at the Conservatory of Barcelona and the École Normale de Musique in Paris. After more than 250 piano recitals throughout Spain, France and Germany, he decided to devote himself to composition. A pupil of Cristofor Taltabull in Spain, he took advanced classes with Pierre Wissmer at the Schola Cantorum in Paris.
Guinjoan’s output is characterised by a profusion of tone-colours, rhythms, melodies, and tends to establish a dialogue, developing the relationship between composer, performer and listener. The composer wrote for all formations, from solo instrument to orchestra as well as for the voice. His works include Suite moderne for piano (1960); Musique intuitive for instrumental ensemble (1969); Magma for instrumental ensemble (1971); Retorn a Catalunya for mixed chorus (1976); Jondo for piano, commissioned by the French State (1979); In tribulatione mea invocavi Dominum for mixed chorus and orchestra (1987); Gaudí, opera (1992); Archipielago, suite for orchestra (2002); String Quartet (2006); Sincroto Alba, third symphony (2009).
Highly active in his promotion of contemporary music, Joan Guinjoan founded and conducted the ensemble Diabolus in musica, with the collaboration of the clarinetist Juli Panyella (1965). As musical adviser for Barcelona City Hall, he founded the Semaines Internationales de Musique Contemporaine and the Centre de Diffusion de la Musique du XXe siècle.