The Figueroas: Puerto Rico's first family of music

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2004 by Frank M. Figueroa

Another graduate of the Figueroa School of Music run by his parents was Jaime "Kachiro" Figueroa. A violinist like his older brother José, he followed his steps and enrolled at Madrid's Royal Conservatory of Music, where he became Antonio Fernández Bordas' favorite pupil. In 1928, he won the Sarasate Award by unanimous vote, defeating eight other contestants. He earned his Licentiature as a concertist al L'Ecole Normal du Paris. Among his many other honors and recognitions, Kachiro always treasured his Honorary Doctorate from the Inter-American University in San Germán and the award from the Centennial International Contest of Wieniawski conducted in Warsaw, Poland. For many years, he performed with the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra, along with his brothers, in the Figueroa Brothers Quintet.

L'Ecole Normal du Paris became the Figueroa family's alma mater. Sister Leonor earned her music degree there, after studying at Madrid's Royal Conservatory of Music. In Madrid, Leonor won the Maria del Carmen Award as well as the First Prize in Piano Music and the Chamber Music Award. Other Figueroas who earned degrees from L'Ecole Normal du Paris are Carmelina (who later became director of La Escuela Libre de Música) and her sister Angelina, a gifted pianist.

Guillermo Figueroa is a respected violinist, cellist composer and conductor. He earned his Concertist's Licentiature at L'Ecole Normal du Paris. He was a member of the Cortot Chamber Music Orchestra in Paris. He has led the Escuela Libre de Música Orchestra and has played cello with the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra. The youngest brother, Rafael Figueroa also graduated from L'Ecole Normal du Paris. He played cello with his brothers in the Figueroa Brothers Quintet, and was also a valued member of the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra. Rafael taught cello at La Escuela Libre de Música for 21 years.

Over the years, the Figueroa Brothers Quintet has been one of Puerto Rico's most acclaimed musical groups. The quintet was composed of Pepito and Kachiro on violins, Guillermo on viola, Rafael on cello, and Narciso on piano. The group played sonatas, violin and viola duets and string quartet pieces. The Figueroa Quintet was the first to play compositions by native composers José Quintón and Heraclio Ramos. They have performed throughout Latin America and the United States.

In 1980, the fourth generation of the Figueroa family took over the Figueroa Brothers Quintet, changing it into a quartet. Don Jesüs Figueroa's grandchildren have taken the baton: Ivonne del Carmen Figueroa is the pianist, Guillermo Figueroa Jr. and Narciso Figueroa II are the violinists, and Rafael Figueroa II is the cellist. Most critics agree that the ensemble has retained its quality.

Ivonne de Carmen Figueroa won the Robert Schumann Award in East Germany in 1974. She completed her Doctorate in Philosophy at New York University. She has since become director of Puerto Rico's Escuela Libre de Música.

Guillermo Figueroa Jr. a violinist, is the present conductor of the Puerto Rico Symphonic Orchestra. He has a master's degree from New York's Juilliard School of Music. He won first prize in the International Violin Competitions conducted in Washington, D.C.