At the age of two Orlando Otey was placed at the piano by his mother. It was 1927 and she had always hoped to have a son who would become a concert pianist. This young pianist went on to give his first concert at the age of four at the Teatro Iris in his native Mexico City.
By the age of five he had toured Mexico and by seven he had toured Europe. He also began composing at an early age, and when he was just 14 he composed his first piano concerto, already having completed a list of other compositions.
In 1940 at the age of 15 while on tour in Mexico, giving three programs of his own compositions that included several mazurkas, nocturnes and etudes Otey was heralded as “The Chopin of Mexico” by critics and listeners. Not only was Otey’s performing of Romantic music remarkable, his own compositions reflected the Romantic style to such an extent that many mistook them for compositions of Chopin (thought to be unpublished works of Chopin).
The Chopin of Mexico's piano from youth is an 1876 Steinway. Along with other original pieces listed above, on this piano he composed his first piano concerto. The second movement of this work is included above, which he later re-titled El Mar de Galilea.
In 1946 Otey was awarded a full scholarship to Curtis Institue of Music in Philadelphia, PA based on his compositions, and in 1949 he was selected as one of 3 pianists to represent the US at the Chopin Centennial Competition in Warsaw, Poland.
Included above are samples of his original compositions as well as music from his just released Chopin collection (Volume 1).
Chopin’s music performed by Orlando Otey is representative of a persevering spirit that the composer and pianist have shared. It is hoped the expression and passion exhibited in Otey’s interpretation of Chopin’s music truly inspires the listener.
Dear Maestro Otey, I wish to thank you for accepting my request for friendship. I wish to congratulate you on a brillant career in art, bravo!!!!!! I would love to have the pleasure of meeting you some day. Be well and prosper. Best Regards, Alvaro Guevara y Vazquez,Mexican Composer
