José Bernardo Alcedo

Who was José Bernardo Alcedo?

José Bernardo Alcedo, was the most important Peruvian composer of the nineteenth century.

Alcedo was born in Lima, Peru. He studied music at the Convento de San Agustín and, at 18 years of age, composed the Misa en Re Mayor. In 1806 he was Dominican friar, but his behaviour in this religious Order was relaxed.

Alcedo was the winner of an 1821 contest sponsored by General José de San Martín to choose a himno nacional for Peru. This anthem was "Somos libres, seámoslo siempre," to words by José de la Torre Ugarte.

In 1822 Alcedo went to Chile as a soldier in a military band. In Santiago de Chile he left the military and dedicated himself to music. In 1833 he entered the choir of the Cathedral of Santiago. In 1846 he became kapellmeister. He resided in Chile for 40 years, returning to Peru in 1864. He became director of the Peruvian military band and president of the Philharmonic. He spent the last years of his life in Peru. He wrote the book Filosofía Elemental de la Música, where he explored the subject of the music of the Quechuas. He composed folk songs, numerous religious works, and military music.