Zabaleta was born in
San Sebastián, Spain, on January 7, 1907.[3] In 1914 his father, an amateur musician, bought him a
harp in an
antique shop. He soon began taking lessons from Vincenta Tormo de Calvo (Madrid Conservatory faculty) and
Luisa Menarguez. In 1925 he began studies in
Paris, where his teachers were
Marcel Tournier and
Jacqueline Borot. In 1926, in Paris, he made his own official concert debut. Then he travelled to the
U.S. and there, on July 5, 1934, he made his
North America debut in
New York City. At a concert in
Puerto Rico in 1950 he met Graziela and they were married in 1952. They relocated to
Spain and Zabaleta began touring
Europe.[4] During the years of 1959–1962 he led a
harp class on
Accademia Musicale Chigiana courses in
Siena.[5]
Zabaleta's final concert on June 16, 1992, in
Madrid was given when his health was already declining.[4] He died on April 1, 1993, in
San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
^
ab"Zabaleta Nicanor", Internetowa encyklopedia PWN (in Polish), archived from
the original on 2007-03-19, retrieved 2007-03-18.
^Slonimsky, Nicolas (1978). "Zabaleta, Nicanor". Baker's Biographical dictionary of musicians (6th ed.). New York: Schirmer Books. p. 1933.
ISBN0-02-870240-9.
Johann Sebastian Bach. Partita #2 in D minor BWV 1004, Suite #3 in B minor BWV 814, Partie A major BWV 832. Deutsche Grammophon 12" vinyl: 2530 333. 1973
Handel, Bach, Mozart, Dittersdorf, Krumpholtz, Wagenseil, Boieldieu: various harp works, Deutsche Grammophon CD 413 684-2
Camille Saint-Saëns: Morceau de concert G-dur op. 154. ... Germaine Tailliferre: Concertino pour Harpe et Orchestre.... Alberto Ginastera: Concierto para harpa y Orquestra. Nicanor Zabaleta & Jean Martinon. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 2530 008. LP
Ravel. Introduction & Allegro (with Berlin RSO cond. Fricsay). Deutsche Grammophon 10" vinyl: DG 17135.