Rodrigo Riera
1923-1999
Riera was born on Barrio Nuevo, Carora. He started playing guitar at very early age, all this thanks to his capacity to improvise by himself.
He made his studyes with Raul Borges in Caracas, at the "Escuela De Musica Y Declamacion" between 1945 and 1950. Soon he was considered as an excelent guitar player, and with Alirio Diaz represented a promise as a guitar concertist. He travelled to Europe in 1951, and finished his studyes at the Real Conservatorio of Madrid, place where he lived for seven years.
On 1962 went to United States, Thanks to his firts recital He could stay in New York working as a Teacher and a as Concertist. Between 1963 and 1964 he composed his more important pieces for guitar, these are: Preludio Criollo, Merengue Venezolano, Choro, Elorac and Cancion Caroreña.
Riera always worked on the popular << My best Proud - Said - would be have all the Venezuelan Dejos in my Repertory, all the Popular Tradition, cause that is what I care, as a Music and as Guitarrist>> He Died on August 1999.
Sound Sample: Midi
Comments: This piece is from " A little Suite for guitar", It´s Very Simple to play and is slow.The other pieces from this Suite are: II. Danza, III. Little Vals.
Difficulty: *
Sound Samples: Midi - Real Audio Format (Rodolfo Betancourt Playing).
Comments: Canción Caroreña shows us his nostalgic longing for his homeland. With one of the most beautiful melodies from the Venezuelan repertoire, this song fully features the simplicity and lyricism of the composer.
Difficulty: ***
Sound Samples: Midi - Real Audio Format (Myself Playing).
Comments: One of the most beautiful melodies from the Venezuelan repertoire, easy piece composed by Rodrigo Riera when he was studying in New York, this song show us the feelings of the composer about his homeland, too Nostalgic.
Difficulty: **
Sound Samples: Midi
Comments: Melancolia is like a sad song but not to expressive, it was also composed by Riera when he was studying in New York, always missing his homeland (Carora).
Difficulty: **