One of the great cellists of his time, Gaspar Cassadó was born in Barcelona in 1897. His father, Joaquim, was a composer, organist and conductor, and he was extremely influential in Gaspar’s musical education. After moving to Paris in 1907, Gaspar studied with Pablo Casals, whose musical legacy was the most important he received.

Since the beginning of his international career as a cello virtuoso, one of his main interests was to expand the repertoire for his instrument: not only did he commission works to other musicians, but he also composed and transcribed, showing curiosity for both old and new music.

During his last years, he settled in Florence with his wife, pianist Chieko Hara. He died from a heart attack a few weeks after the 1966 Florence flooding, when, despite his precarious health, he participated in fundraising concerts for his adopted city.

Cassadó’s legacy as a passionate musician lives through his recordings and compositions, which include a Cello Concerto and a quantity of chamber music, often suggesting the influence of Ravel or Manuel de Falla.