Biography
Alfonso de Elías was born in Mexico City in 1902. From 1915 to 1927 he studied at the National Conservatory of Mexico, where he received First Prize in the National Piano Competition. He continued thereafter as a very active concert pianist.
A gifted educator, he had a profound influence on several generations of musicians. From 1958 he taught at the National School of Music of the University of Mexico, and from 1963 he was on the faculty of the National Conservatory of Music. He also taught at his own Academy of Music. He was a religious man and served as organist for the churches of Santa Brígida and San Francisco.
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Perhaps the last composer of the Mexican Romantic tradition, he was the recipient of awards for composition in 1931, 1934, and 1940. His large catalogue of works includes commemorative masses for soloists, organ, and strings; motets; chamber music; songs; piano music, three symphonies, and other works for full orchestra.
In addition to the two compositions contained in this volume, he composed two other organ works: Elevación (Pequeño Preludio para Harmonium) (1940); and Intermezzo (1954).
Alfonso de Elías died in Mexico City in 1984.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.