The Antioquian composer and musician Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas, author of ‘El camino de la vida’, passed away this Tuesday, July 21, as confirmed by the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, who expressed his condolences through social media.
His legacy is linked to some of the most performed works in the Colombian Andean repertoire, including Muy antioqueño, Tú, lo mejor de todo and El camino de la vida. As reported by the Radio Nacional de Colombia portal, the Colombian state network, belonging to the RTVC media system, the last mentioned composition was chosen in 1999 as the ‘Colombian Song of the 20th Century’.
One of the first to speak out after the death was former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who stated that “the death of maestro Héctor Ochoa hurts” and highlighted that “the lyrics of his songs and the strings of his guitar contributed to instilling Homeland and Region in the soul of several generations.”
In his message, he added that the composer “will always be present with ‘El camino de la vida'” and sent a message of solidarity to his family.
Among the reactions, that of the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, also stood out, who confirmed the death and recalled that just one day before, during the Independence Day celebration, singer Paola Jara had performed one of the artist’s compositions.
The local leader noted that the artist moved the audience with Muy antioqueño, described that piece as “one of the most beautiful works by maestro Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas” and stated that he received “with deep sorrow the news of his departure.” He also assured that the composer “knew how to interpret with sensitivity the essence and character of the people of Antioquia” and expressed a message of condolence to his family.
“A sincere hug to his loved ones. God receives his music in heaven,” he said on his official X and Facebook accounts.
The memory mentioned by the governor was related to the July 20 commemoration held in the Túnel del Toyo, within the new Vía al Mar Gonzalo Mejía Trujillo.
The celebration, organized by the Government of Antioquia, brought together national and departmental authorities, members of the public force, and special guests to commemorate 216 years of Colombian Independence and highlight one of the country’s main infrastructure projects, which will connect the Aburrá Valley with the Urabá region.
During the cultural agenda of that day, singer Paola Jara, born in Apartadó, shared the stage with the Departmental Orchestra of Antioquia. In her performance, she interpreted Muy antioqueño, in addition to Soy colombiano, the anthem of Antioquia, and Murió el amor, as part of the official program that accompanied the civic and protocol acts.
Ochoa’s death occurred just hours after that involuntary tribute to one of his best-known compositions. Muy antioqueño is part of the catalog of works with which the composer built a recognized career within Colombian Andean music and which made him one of the most performed authors by duets, trios, and traditional groups.
It should be noted that the reactions also included that of the mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, who also lamented the composer’s death and recalled the mark his work left on several generations of Colombians.
Through his X account, he noted that “several generations grew up listening to his music,” highlighted in particular “the beautiful song ‘El camino de la vida’,” of which he said it “exalts the value of family,” and expressed a message of condolences by stating: “Rest in peace and solidarity with his loved ones.”
Who is Héctor Ochoa?
Héctor Ochoa Cárdenas was born in Medellín on July 24, 1934. According to the biography published on the website of Grupo Planeta’s publishing imprint, Planeta Lector, the deceased is the son of also composer Eusebio Ochoa Isaza, author of the bambuco El profesor de canto and member of the Lira Antioqueña.
From a young age, he trained in music with an emphasis on plucked strings, and when he was 15, he founded the Trío de Oro. His first recorded composition came in 1962 with Bendito amor.
During the same period, he also participated in jazz-related projects and even recorded some romantic songs with his own voice. However, he chose to focus for several years on his career as a banker in Medellín. Only after his retirement in 1982 did he fully resume musical composition.
Over the years, he wrote an extensive repertoire that eventually secured a permanent place in Colombian music. His works include Muy antioqueño, Ayer y hoy, Muy colombiano, La nostalgia, Lo mejor de mí, Tú, lo mejor de todo, Después que me olvidé de ti, Pase lo que pase, Volvé maestro, Canta tiple, Ella es mi reina, Orgullosamente mujer, El amor no acaba, Aprendiendo a vivir and El camino de la vida.
Precisely this last composition became the most recognized of his entire career. The song was first heard on November 19, 1983, at the Recinto Quirama, in Carmen de Viboral, Antioquia, performed by the duo Arboleda y Valencia. Its lyrics and melody quickly led to its widespread diffusion in different regions of the country.
The impact of that work was reflected years later, when in 1999 a public poll promoted by the Sonolux label and a radio chain, as reported by Radio Nacional de Colombia, chose it as the Colombian Song of the 20th Century.
Musical researcher Jaime Rico Salazar highlighted the importance of Ochoa’s artistic production in his book ‘La canción colombiana’. There he wrote: “Héctor Ochoa has made a beautiful contribution to the Colombian songbook. His songs, and especially ‘El camino de la vida,’ are in the repertoire of many young and old people who continue to feel affection for traditional song.”
Throughout his career, Héctor Ochoa received various recognitions for his contribution to Colombian music. These include the Order of Democracy from the Congress of the Republic, the Gold Shield of Antioquia, the Medellín Mayor’s Medal, and a lifetime tribute at the Mono Núñez Colombian Andean Music Festival in 2023.
In October 2015, he was also inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, based in Miami, a distinction that added to the recognition achieved by his repertoire.
LAURA NATHALIA QUINTERO.
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