Publications
A historical overview of Higini Arau’s proposal for calculating reverberation time (1988)
Higini Arau’s 1988 proposal for calculating reverberation time offers a significant advancement over Sabine's classical formula by accounting for the non-uniform distribution of absorbing materials in concert halls. This innovation, developed during the acoustic renovation of Palau de la Música Catalana, introduced a three-directional (X, Y, Z) decay rate quantification that more accurately models sound behavior in real-world auditoriums. Arau’s work, initially published in Acustica and later refined in 1998, gained recognition through comparisons with other formulae and was integrated into leading international acoustic design software by the 2000s. This historical overview assesses the enduring impact of Arau’s proposal on global academic discourse.
Mª Rosa Garín Solé: pionera de la enfermería perfusionista en el Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona
Mª Rosa Garín Solé, the first perfusionist at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (HSCSP) in Barcelona, pioneered the role of nurse perfusionists, significantly advancing cardiac surgery outcomes. Her career, spanning from 1954 to 1994, included leading the HSCSP's first cardiac transplant in 1984 and founding the Spanish Association of Perfusion Nurses (AEP) in 1978, which she later chaired. This qualitative study, based on an in-depth interview, recovers her professional trajectory, highlighting her contributions to nursing history and patient care. Recognized with Catalonia's President Francesc Macià Medal in 2006, Garín Solé's legacy underscores the impact of nurse perfusionists on surgical advancements.
MªTeresa Castells Mas: enfermera pionera en la gestión de los quirófanos del Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona
This biographical account highlights MªTeresa Castells Mas as a pioneering figure in surgical nursing, whose leadership and contributions were instrumental in shaping the field. Her career, documented through oral history, underscores her role as a trailblazer in quirúrgica management at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona). A graduate of the Escuela Santa Madrona and trained in surgical nursing, she played a pivotal role in the hospital's nursing reforms under Adela Simón. Her expertise extended to training the first cohort of surgical nurses and establishing Barcelona’s pioneering cardiac surgery nursing team. Later, her career at Hospital de Bellvitge included significant administrative roles. This narrative provides invaluable insight into the evolution of surgical nursing practices and the early development of cardiac surgery in Barcelona.
«Rèquiem a la memòria de Salvador Espriu» (Xavier Benguerel, 1989): hermenéutica y simbolismo musical en el referente poético de una misa de difuntos.
Xavier Benguerel's 'Rèquiem a la memòria de Salvador Espriu' (1989), premiered at Palau de la Música Catalana, integrates seven poems by Salvador Espriu into a Tridentine Mass structure, creating a unique funeral work that blends religious ritual with poetic symbolism. This study reveals how Benguerel's musical choices—such as meditative profane interruptions—enhance the dramatic intent of Espriu's poetry while maintaining liturgical coherence. The analysis employs hermeneutic methods to assess the alignment between text and music, demonstrating Benguerel's distinctive approach to constructing funeral symbolism in sacred-commemoration works.
Evaluating the Impact of Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction for the Surgical Prevention of Lymphedema
Immediate lymphatic reconstruction significantly reduces the risk of lymphedema following breast cancer surgery, according to a study conducted at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. The research demonstrated that performing lymphatic reconstruction during mastectomy or axillary lymph node dissection effectively prevents lymphedema in 90% of patients, compared to conventional methods with higher complication rates. The study employed a retrospective analysis of 100 patients, evaluating clinical outcomes and complications over a two-year period. This approach offers a promising surgical strategy for preserving quality of life post-treatment.
The Catalan Guitar, Part 2: Two New E-books by Josep María Mangado
Two seminal e-books by Josep María Mangado Artigas shed new light on the history of the guitar in Catalonia, particularly its performance and cultural significance from 1769 to 1940. The first, La guitarra en Cataluña, provides an in-depth exploration of notable Catalan guitarists such as José Ferrer, Sor, Brocá, Viñas, Bosch, Costa, and Más, while the second, Los conciertos de guitarra en el Palau de la Música Catalana, traces the evolution of guitar concerts at this iconic Barcelona venue from its inception in 1908 to the premiere of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez in 1940. Mangado’s meticulous archival research, combining historical documentation with musical analysis, reveals the guitar’s pivotal role in Catalan musical identity and its integration into broader European concert traditions. These works offer a comprehensive narrative that bridges gaps in existing literature, enriching our understanding of guitar performance history in Catalonia.
Decision-Making Tool for Enhancing the Sustainable Management of Cultural Institutions: Season Content Programming at Palau De La Música Catalana
A novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model has been successfully applied to assess the sustainability of musical season programming, marking a first for cultural institutions. This approach, traditionally used in other sectors, introduces a Season Value Index (SVI) that enables more sustainable decisions based on established criteria. The method's robustness was validated through sensitivity analysis across different scenarios. The study utilized qualitative interviews with Catalan cultural professionals and real data from the Palau de la Música Catalana's 2015–2016 season, demonstrating its practical applicability and potential for broader adoption in cultural management.
Mosaic and Trencadís in the Palau De La Música Catalana
A key insight into the artistic and structural innovation of Modernist architecture is revealed through the study of the Palau de la Música Catalana, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The research highlights how ceramic mosaic techniques, particularly trencadís—an abstract method using irregular tile fragments—were integrated to both decorate and protect the building's metallic structure. This approach demonstrates a seamless fusion of artistry and craftsmanship, setting a precedent for Modernisme in Catalonia. The study examines the building's ornamentation, emphasizing the dual functionality of ceramic elements while exploring their aesthetic and technical significance.
Dynamic Identification and Static Loading Tests of Timbrel Vaults: Application to a Modernist 20th Century Heritage Structure
A critical insight from this study is that secondary masonry elements, such as upper slabs and extrados stiffening diaphragms, play an essential role in the structural behavior of timbrel vaults. These elements significantly influence both dynamic and static responses, necessitating their explicit inclusion in Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations for accurate modeling. The research employed a combination of laboratory and in-situ experiments, including dynamic identification and static loading tests, to analyze the Administration Pavilion of Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona. FEM models were used to simulate the observed behavior, highlighting the importance of considering these secondary structural components for precise analysis.
Martí de Riquer (1914-2013): Marqués de Casa Dávalos
Martí de Riquer (1914–2013), Marqués de Casa Dávalos, was a pioneering Catalan philologist and literary scholar whose extensive contributions reshaped the understanding of medieval Occitan literature and its influence on Golden Age Spanish literature. His lifelong work bridged Catalan humanism with broader European literary traditions, culminating in seminal studies that redefined scholarly approaches to medieval texts. Riquer's academic career, marked by resilience during the Spanish Civil War and a prolific output spanning seven decades, included groundbreaking publications like L’humanisme català (1934) and Para leer a Cervantes, which earned him Spain’s highest literary honors, including the Premio Príncipe de Asturias. His legacy endures through generations of scholars he mentored and his influence on Catalan and Spanish cultural identity, exemplified by tributes such as the 2008 ceremony at Palau de la Música Catalana. Riquer’s interdisciplinary methodology—combining archival preservation, textual analysis, and pedagogical innovation—set a benchmark for medieval studies.
La formación de los arquitectos restauradores : elaboración de un modelo didáctico
A novel educational model, Cooperative and Critical Project-Based Learning (CCPBL), significantly enhances architects' ability to synthesize complex information during the restoration of heritage buildings. This approach integrates systemic analysis with role-based cooperative learning and debates, leading to higher consensus on project decisions and greater coherence between analysis and implementation. Tested across three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—including Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona—the model achieved a 98% average workshop attendance rate and an 8.7/10 satisfaction score, with strong correlations (8.3/10 and 8.6/10) between expert discussions and improved project outcomes. The study demonstrates that structured multidisciplinary collaboration, supported by real-world case studies and virtual debates, effectively bridges theoretical fragmentation and practical restoration challenges.
“Entre las heroínas de Maeterlinck y las vírgenes de Burne-Jones”. La primera recepción de Wanda Landowska en España (1905-1912)
Wanda Landowska's reception in Spain, particularly in Barcelona's modernist cultural milieu, marked a pivotal moment for the practice of early music. Her performances at Palau de la Música Catalana in 1909, supported by Orfeó Català, left a lasting impact on Spanish musical identity. The study analyzes her influence between 1905 and 1912 through cultural documentation, including the Revista Musical Catalana, revealing how Landowska's presence intersected with broader artistic and intellectual trends of the era.
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