Caliente: Rhythms of Latin America

The afternoon classical concert will begin with Bachianas Brasilieras No. 9, roughly translated Bach-inspired Brazilian pieces, by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, written for various combinations of instruments and voices between 1930 and 1945.

The second selection of this concert is Zarabanda, the seventh composed piece from the ballet score \”La hija de Cólquide,\” (translated, The Daughter of Colchis) Carlos Chávez in 1943–44 on commission from the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation for Martha Graham. The title refers to the mythological character Medea, daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, in the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece.

African-American composer, William Grant Still Jr., known as the \”Dean of Afro-American Composers,\” wrote the third selection, Danzas de Panama, based on a compilation of Panamanian folk tunes which were collected by Elizabeth Waldo in the 1920\’s.

The fourth selection, \”Dos Fugas Venezolanas\” by Venzuelan composer Juan Bautista Plaza, is an homage to Juan Sebastian Bach.

The fifth and final selection for Caliente: Rhythms of Latin America is “Suite para Cuerdas” by Venezuelan pianist, composer, arranger and orchestral conductor, Aldemaro Romero. Romero is considered the creator and pioneer of the Venezuelan \”New Wave\” (Onda Nueva) genre, derived from the joropo and Brazilian Bossa Nova.

Says David A. Fanning, conductor of Caliente, “Leonard Bernstein once talked about the moment at which everyone is ready to begin. He didn’t say it’s when the orchestra is ready to begin. But he would stand, listen, and wait. And the orchestra is ready, but you can also hear that the audience has joined in the experience we’re going to have. That is what we have missed over the last year and a half. We have recorded; we have made music. But the live music experience is a different thing altogether, and I really encourage people to come out and share that with us.”

Says Lynn Andreas Arndt, CEO of BlackRock, “The National String Symphonia’s goal of reaching beyond the archetypical orchestra audience and become an integral part of the musical life of listeners at all ages and stages, is very much aligned with BlackRock’s mission. We are always blown away by their incredible talent right here in our own backyard.”