Francisco Grau

Who is Francisco Grau?

Francisco Grau Vegara is a Spanish musician, composer and General in the Spanish Armed Forces.

Having started playing instruments in his hometown's band at the age of seven, he went on to compose more than 700 pieces and since 12 October 1997, he has been the official author of the Spanish National Anthem. He is also a member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, the Real Academia de la Virgen de la Arrixaca in Murcia and the Academia de San Carlos in Valencia. Since 1988, he has been the director of music for the Spanish Royal Guard and has been the Director of the Spanish Military Academy of Music since its creation.

In January 2008, Grau became the first General of Music in the Spanish Armed Forces, having been made a colonel some years previously.