Luis Paniagua

This impressive Spanish composer and performer describes his work as "contemporary and universal music inspired in elements from both Western and Eastern cultures." And indeed, the vast historical range and cultural span of the music and instruments he is involved in makes most of his contemporaries seem like amateurs. He began studying string and percussion instruments at the age of ten, receiving much inspiration from his older brother Gregorio, a well-known conductor, arranger, and composer. In 1972 he joined his brother's group Atrium Musicae De Madrid, an ensemble that was dedicated to researching and performing European ancient music. This sometimes involved performing scraps of ancient Greek notation taken from surviving pieces of papyrus or marble columns. Two other brothers from the family, Eduard and Carlos, also performed with the group, whose work was received with phenomenal acclaim by the international classical audience. The performing debut of Luis, at age 15, must be one of the most auspicious in the career of any musician: he performed with Atrium at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He continued touring with this group throughout Canada, the U.S.A., Europe, and the U.S.S.R. 14 albums were recorded by the group during this time period. In 1980 Luis began a solo career, both as a soloist and a leader of small ensembles. He began performing music for theater and dance as well as film soundtracks. His works have continued to feature exotic instruments, an interest dating back not only to the Atrium group but to his own study of the Indian sitar, which he began in 1974. He eventually studied extensively with Indian sitar master T.N. Nagar in Benares, India. Later works have included use of the Chinese lute and ancient Mediterranean lyre, sometimes in combination with various Western instruments. In 1999 he began his own recording company, Silentium.