Prestige and Promotion of Women in Music at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century in Spain: Josefa Bustamante and the Premio Barranco

This chapter aims to analyze the role of musical competitions in promoting the careers of women in Spain during the first half of the 20th century thorough the case of Josefa Bustamante Garés (1906-1997), who won the prestigious Premio Barranco piano competition from the Philharmonic Society of Malaga in 1930, and was professor at the Royal Conservatory of Granada from 1929 forward. The Conservatory of Madrid, established in 1830, was the leading musical institution in Spain, as it was the sole musical centre authorized to confer an official degree for over eighty years, ensuring high-level training and social prestige for its graduates. Musical performance competitions were also prevalent, especially in the decades around the turn of the century, aiming to provide distinction to winners and participating institutions. Women, recognizing the honor associated with winning such titles, sought to obtain them to secure teaching positions in music academies, conservatories, or as private instructors, as well as recognition as performers. These titles guaranteed high-level training and served as to both attract students and bring about concert opportunities. Through the case of Josefa Bustamante, we aim to provide an insightful analysis of the role of music competitions in the promotion strategies of women’s musical careers in Spain in the first half of the 20th century. This work will reflect on the type of prestige that women musicians aimed to obtain in the public sphere, the difficulties they faced in winning these prizes, and the ways in which they utilized such prizes to promote themselves. Furthermore, we will examine whether the prestige obtained extended to other individuals, thus creating a musical genealogy between Josefa Bustamante and her students.