Latin America has lost two musical Methuselahs.

The Chilean composer Juan Orrego-Salas died on Sunday at the age of 100. Orrego-Salas, born in Santiago in 1919, was founder of the Center for Latin American music at the University of Indiana. A student of Randall Thompson and Aaron Copland, he composed over 125 works – including six symphonies and two operas – and touched the lives of countless students. Orrego-Salas made his home in the United States since the 1950s.

On Saturday, the Peruvian composer Enrique Iturriaga died at the age of 101. Iturriaga studied in Paris with Arthur Honegger, then returned to Lima to teach at the National Conservatory of Peru. Like so many Latin American composers of his generation, he beat a path through the thickets of 20th century modernism, employing as a kind of compass the folk music of his native land. Iturriaga taught at the National Conservatory for over 50 years, serving twice as its general director.

Vaya con Dios, caballeros.

Orrego-Salas’ Symphony No. 2 “To the Memory of a Wanderer” (1954)

“Serenata Concertante” (1954)

Interview with Orrego-Salas, including some great photos:
https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/juan-orrego-salas/

Iturriaga’s “Pregón y Danza” (1952)

“Las Cumbres” (1953)

Documentary about Iturriaga:

PHOTOS: Iturriaga (top) and Orrego-Salas