Radio de Ataulfo Argenta

Ataúlfo Exuperio Martin de Argenta Maza (November 19, 1913 - January 21, 1958) was a distinguished Spanish conductor. Born in Castro Urdiales in Spain's Cantabria region, he played pivotal roles in the founding of the Festival Internacional de Santander and the Madrid Chamber Orchestra. From 1947 until his death in 1958, he was the Principal Conductor of the Orquesta Nacional de España.[1] He specialized in late 19th and early 20th century music, and especially music by Spanish composers. Argenta recorded nearly 50 zarzuelas with Alhambra (the Spanish label of Columbia Records) and was contracted to Decca from the mid-1950's.[2] In 1954, his remarks criticizing the state of Spanish music under the Franco government (and his subsequent retraction) caused considerable controversy.[3] He died less than four years later at the age of 44 on the brink of a major international career. In January 2008, the 50th anniversary of his death was commemorated in Spain with concerts, exhibitions and conferences,[4] as well as the publication of two biographies.[5] Ataulfo Argenta was born on November 19, 1913 in Castro Urdiales then a small, mainly fishing, port on Cantabria?s Atlantic coast. He was one of two children and the only son of the local station master, Juan Martín de Argenta, himself the son of a Madrid University professor and widower, and Laura Maza, from the nearby village of Samano.