Leonard Cohen learned his 'six chords' from a Spanish student in Montreal

(Photo: FPA)

OVIEDO (Agencies) The Príncipe de Asturias Laureates this year included Canadian singer songwriter Leonard Cohen, who was awarded the prize for Literature, and who offered an ad lib speech on behalf of the rest of the Laureates. He revealed that he had learned "the six chords" that is present in all his work, from a Spanish flamenco guitarist in his native Montreal. That was why he is so grateful to Spain and why this award emans so much to him. "Everything you may like in my music comes from that," he said, adding that he had never spoken about it in public because the guitarist committed suicide in the early 1960s. Cohen also said that he owed much of his poetry to Federico García Lorca, through whom he found his "voice". He pointed out that his favourite guitar is made in Spain by Conde over forty years ago and "it is still as fresh as it was on the first day." It is so light, said Cohen, as though it was full of helium. He spoke of how the guitar told him that he has so much to be grateful for, that he wanted to thank "your land." The other Lauretaes are:>>>

Leonard Cohen, 2011 Príncipe de Asturias for Literature

SPAIN (Agencies) The Prince of Asturias Prize is the highest civilian award Spain is able to give. This year's for Literature goes to songwriter, poet and novelist Leonard Cohen, 78, for "literary work that has influenced three generations," according to a statement from the jury. There were 32 candidates in this section; the finalists, aside from Leonard Cohen, were another Canadian, Alice Munro, and British novelist Ian McEwan. Cohen was also a candidate in the Arts section for his musical career, but this year's went to music director Riccardo Muti. Several prizes are yet to be decided but another one interesting to our readers is that awarded to Britain's Royal Society.