Lluís Llach | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Llach receiving his honorary doctorate at theUniversity of Girona. | |
| Born | (1948-05-07)7 May 1948 (age 77) |
| Citizenship | Spanish |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1965– present |
| Known for | Voice,piano,guitar |
| Notable work | L'Estaca |
| Style | Nova Cançó |
| Title | Deputy of theParliament of Catalonia |
| Term | 26 October 2015 – 28 October 2017 |
| Political party | |
| Movement | Catalan independence movement |
| Honours | |
| Website | www |
Lluís Llach i Grande (Catalan pronunciation:[ʎuˈizˈʎak]; born 7 May 1948) is a Spanish Catalan singer-songwriter, novelist and politician. He is one of the main representatives of thenova cançó genre and an outspoken advocate of theright to self-determination of Catalonia. His most famous song, "L'Estaca", has become the unofficial anthem of theCatalan independence movement.[3] He was a member of the Catalan Parliament from September 2015 until January 2018.[4]
He is one of the main representatives ofnova cançó (New Song), a movement of musicians, and singers who defiedFrancisco Franco's dictatorship by singing political songs inCatalan during a time when the language and other manifestations of Catalan identity were not allowed. Nonetheless, on January 23, 1973,TVE aired the showLluís Llach, in the Catalan language, shot in various locations in the province of Girona.[5] His famous song "L'Estaca" about a rotten pole about to fall was clear enough as an image of the regime. As many other singers, writers and politically involved artists, Llach left Spain and lived in voluntary exile inParis until Franco's death.
Though partially dependent on arrangers, likeManel Camp orCarles Cases in his early works, Llach's songwriting has largely evolved from the more basic early compositions to a vastly more complex harmonic and melodic writing. Self-taught as a guitarist, Llach only strums simple chords on guitar. As a pianist, he shows a good knowledge of the European song tradition fromSchubert toHahn with touches ofSatie ("Nounou") and his local imitators likeMompou andManuel Blancafort ("A la taverna del mar"). Llach has usedsalsa piano patterns ("Terra") and jazzy whole-step block modulations ("El jorn dels miserables") and progressions ("Cançó d'amor a la llibertat"). Some early songs depicted some inspiration from Baroque dances ("Laura", "Jo sé", "Vinyes verdes vora el mar") andostinato chord patterns ("Non", "Somniem"). Among his influences as singer, Llach has recognizedMahalia Jackson andJacques Brel.
His lyrics can range from traditional romantic songs, to more complex, philosophical song-cycles and also to some more ironic, politically based compositions, with a more upbeat tempo. When he doesn't write the lyrics of his songs he sings to the lyrics of a variety of poets, includingConstantine P. Cavafy,Màrius Torres,Josep Maria de Segarra,Pere Quart and, perhaps more often than with any of the others,Miquel Martí i Pol.
Llach has occasionally performed as a classicalbaritone, including a series of performances ofGabriel Fauré'sRequiem, and has also been a wine producer. He marked his retirement as front man in music with a farewell concert inVerges (March 2007), inBaix Empordà on theCosta Brava, the village in which he grew up. He has performed incidental music for theatre pieces since then.
His 1968 song "L'Estaca" has become the anthem of several political movements, includingSolidarność in Poland,[6] theTunisian Revolution,[7] the Indignados or Occupy movement in Spain,[6] and theCatalan independence movement, regularly sung by crowds at demonstrations.
Llach is a supporter ofCatalan independence and the left-wing partyERC.[8] He stood for election in theparliamentary elections of September 2015, as an independent candidate in theJunts pel Sí (Together for Yes) pro-independence alliance. He headed the alliance'slist for Girona, one of the four constituencies, and was elected.The coalition got 11 out of 17 seats in Girona.[9][10][11]
In2021, Llach endorsed the left-wing, pro-independenceCUP citing the issue of healthcare.[12]
In July 2017, Lluis Llach stated that civil servants in Catalonia who continued to follow Spanish law after a future declaration of independence would be "penalised".[13][14][15]
On 7 October 2017, prior to theanti-independence unionist demonstration the following day, he tweeted:"Tomorrow let's leave the streets of Barcelona empty. Let the vultures find no food"
Llach is openly gay. During thetrial of Catalonia independence leaders in 2019, he protested being asked to answer questions from the lawyers of the far-right partyVox, "as a homosexual and pro-independence citizen, and aspiring citizen of the world."[16]
Pep Blay'sLluís Llach (Col·lecció "Los Autores", SGAE, Barcelona, 1995) is a biography about the Catalan musician and songwriter Llach, which contains an interesting chronology, a collection of pictures, an anthology of songs and a discography.
23 del presente mes, a las 4,30 de la tarde, T.V.E. ofrecerá a los espectadores de Cataluña y Baleares el programa musical en catalán «Lluís Llach» […] Lluís Llach es uno de los cantantes catalanes que mayor proyección ha tenido tanto en nuestro país […] Este programa ha sido rodado en blanco y negro y color utilizando como marco diversos lugares de la provincia de Gerona
