The composer and musician from Antioquia Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas, author of ‘The path of life’, He died this Tuesday, July 21, as confirmed by the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, who expressed his condolences through social networks.
His legacy is linked to some of the most performed works of the Colombian Andean repertoire, among them Very Antioquian, You, the best of all and The path of life. As he picked up the portal National Radio of Colombia, the Colombian State channel, belonging to the RTVC media system, the last mentioned composition It was chosen in 1999 as the ‘Colombian Song of the 20th Century’.
One of the first to speak out after the death was former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who stated that “the death of teacher Héctor Ochoa hurts” and highlighted that “the lyrics of his songs and the strings of his guitar contributed to instilling Homeland and Region in the souls of several generations.”
Statement by Álvaro Uribe on the death. Photo:SOCIAL NETWORKS
In your message. He added that the composer “will always be present with ‘The Path of Life'” and sent a message of solidarity to his family.
Also notable among the reactions was that of the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, who confirmed the death and recalled that just one day before, during the celebration of Independence Day, the singer Paola Jara had performed one of the artist’s compositions.
The local president pointed out that the artist moved the public with Very Antioquiandescribed that piece as “one of the most beautiful works of the master Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas” and stated that he received “with deep regret the news of his departure.” TOFurthermore, he assured that the composer “knew how to sensitively interpret the essence and character of the Antioqueños” and expressed a message of condolence to his family.
“A sincere hug to your loved ones. God receives his music in heaven,” he said on his official Instagram account. x and Facebook.
Statement by Andrés Julián Rendón on the death. Photo:SOCIAL NETWORKS
The memory mentioned by the governor was related to the commemoration of July 20 held in the Toyo Tunnel, within the new Vía al Mar Gonzalo Mejía Trujillo.
The celebration, organized by the Government of Antioquia, brought together national and departmental authorities, members of the public force and special guests to commemorate the 216 years of the Independence of Colombia and highlight one of the main infrastructure works in the country, which will connect the Aburrá Valley with the Urabá region.
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During the cultural agenda of that day, the singer Paola Jara, born in Apartadó, shared the stage with the Antioquia Departmental Orchestra. In his presentation, he interpreted Very Antioquianin addition to I am Colombianthe anthem of Antioch and love died, as part of the official programming that accompanied the civic and protocol events.
Ochoa’s death occurred just hours after that involuntary tribute to one of his best-known compositions. Very Antioquian It is part of the catalog of works with which the composer built a recognized trajectory within Colombian Andean music and that made him one of the authors most performed by duets, trios and traditional groups.
It should be noted that the reactions also included the of the mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, who also mourned the death of the composer and recalled the mark that his work left on several generations of Colombians.
Through his
Who is Hector Ochoa?
Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas was born in Medellín on July 24, 1934 Photo:ARCHIVE
Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas was born in Medellín on July 24, 1934. According to the biography published on the page of the Grupo Planeta publishing label, Planeta Lector, the deceased is the son of the composer Eusebio Ochoa Isaza, author of the bambuco. The singing teacher and member of the Antiochian Lira.
From a young age he trained in music with an emphasis on plucked strings and, when he was 15, he founded the Golden Trio. His first recorded composition came in 1962 with blessed love.
At that same time, he also participated in projects close to jazz and even recorded some romantic songs with his own voice. However, he chose to concentrate for several years on his career as a banker in Medellín. Only after his retirement, in 1982, did he fully resume musical composition.
Over the years, he wrote a wide repertoire that ended up occupying a permanent place in Colombian music. Among his works are Very Antioqueño, Yesterday and today, Very Colombian, Nostalgia, The best of me, You, the best of everything, After I forgot about you, No matter what happens, I’m back teacher, Canta tiple, She is my queen, Proudly a woman, Love doesn’t end, Learning to live and The path of life.
Precisely this last composition became the most recognized of his entire career. The song was heard for the first time on November 19, 1983 at the Quirama Campus, in Carmen de Viboral, Antioquia, performed by the duet Arboleda and Valencia. Its lyrics and melody made it quickly reach wide circulation in different regions of the country.
The impact of that work was reflected years later, when in 1999 a public survey promoted by the Sonolux label and a radio station, as reported by the National Radio of Colombia, chose it as the Colombian Song of the 20th Century.
The musical researcher Jaime Rico Salazar highlighted the importance of Ochoa’s artistic production in his book ‘The Colombian Song’. There he wrote: “Héctor Ochoa has made a beautiful contribution to the Colombian songbook. His songs and especially ‘The Path of Life’ are in the repertoire of many young and old people who continue to feel affection for traditional songs.”
Teacher Héctor Ochoa passed away Photo:SOCIAL NETWORKS
Throughout his career, Hector Ochoa He received different recognitions for his contribution to Colombian music. Among them are the Order of Democracy of the Congress of the Republic, the Golden Shield of Antioquia, the Mayor’s Medal of Medellín and the living tribute of the Mono Núñez Colombian Andean Music Festival in 2023.
In October 2015 he also entered the Latin American Composers Hall of Fame, based in Miami, a distinction that added to the recognition achieved by his repertoire.
LAURA NATHALIA QUINTERO.
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