Joan Lamote de Grignon

Who was Joan Lamote de Grignon?

Joan Lamote de Grignon i Bocquet, was a Catalan Spanish pianist, composer and orchestra director.

Joan Lamote de Grignon was born and died in Barcelona, the son of parents of French descent Lluis Lamote de Grignon and Elena Bocquet. In 1911 he founded the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, of which he was also music director. He directed the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He was the successor of Celestí Sadurní in directing the Municipal Band of Barcelona in 1914, from where he promoted young performers and provided the Band with an acknowledged repertoire. Three years later he was appointed director of the Conservatory of the Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona. In 1943 he founded the València Municipal Orchestra, which he directed until 1949.

His compositions, including transcriptions and arrangements, comprise some hundred and fifty songs, the oratorio La nit de Nadal, the lyric drama Hespèria, a symphonic trilogy, a symphony, a Missa eucarística for two voices and organ, motets and spiritual songs, and El parc d'atraccions for piano.

He wrote various sardanes for cobla and helped to found the band Cobla Barcelona.

His son Ricard Lamote de Grignon followed in his father's footsteps as a composer and orchestra director. Ricard worked alongside him as assistant director of the newly created València Municipal Orchestra.