Composer of the Month 5/2014: José Padilla Sánchez
(selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)
Spain 19.6.1990
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As a film music Chaplin chose the composition "La Violetera" by José Padilla Sánchez. |
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The Spanish composer and pianist José Padilla Sánchez was born on 28 May 1889 in Almería.
He studied music at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid and in Italy. After the success
of his first zarzuela (1906), he composed a number of other stage music. After World War I
he spent much time in Paris and wrote among others for the Moulin Rouge operettas, revues
and songs that made him internationally known. For example, Jerome Kern in 1920 used the
song "My Spanish Rose" for his Broadway musical "The Night Boat". The song "Valencia"
from the zarzuela "La Bien Amada", composed in 1924, in 1926 became an international
hit in a recording by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. Today mainly Padilla's song
"La Violetera" (The Violet) is still known. This song was used by Charlie Chaplin as
music for his film "City Lights" in 1931.
José Padilla Sánchez died on October 25, 1960 in Madrid. In May 2014 his birthday is coming up for the 125th time. More composer can be found in the members only section |