A Tropical Night in Puerto Rico
| From November 7 – 12, 2011, the Arcos Trio celebrates all things music, art and culture during its Latin American Chamber Music Festival hosted by Lawrence University (WI). On the 10th, the group offers the world premiere of guest composer-in-residence Roberto Sierra’s Trio No. 4, “La noche.”This new trio was commissioned by the NEA and is a 14-minute, four-movement nocturne for ensemble. Prior to the concert, Sierra joins the Arcos Trio and audience members for an informal composer chat.”Roberto Sierra is representative of a dynamic cultural phenomenon,” observes Anthony Padilla, Arcos Trio pianist. “His compositions are characterized by the cross-fertilization of American and Latin American music…[so he was] an ideal candidate to compose a piece for this festival. [This] new work helps fill an increasing demand in America for concert works that reflect and celebrate the contributions of Latin American culture. Roberto’s Trio No. 4 “La noche”creates a fantastic tone picture of a tropical night in Puerto Rico, evoking the mysterious atmosphere of dusk, the sounds of creatures of the night and Caribbean dance rhythms.” Afterward, on November 16th, the ensemble tours the work to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.Other Sierra news includes: the Rochester Philharmonic’s performances of Sinfonia No. 4 on November 17th and 19th; the December 4th concert of the Viola Concerto performed by soloist Roberto Diaz and the Curtis 20/21 Contemporary Music, and two featured radio shows on WFMT Chicago’s “Collectors’ Corner” which will be broadcast on December 11th and 18th. |  The Arcos TrioPhoto: John Schultz, courtesy: Arcos Trio |
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Trio No. 4 “La noche” (2011) Mvt 1: Atardecer: Con aire de misterio Mvt 2: Ronda nocturna (con “coquÃs”): Rápido Mvt 3: El aire de la noche: Expresivo, pero estricto en tempo Mvt 4: Alborada: Vivaz, al tiempo de “merengue” “This trio is a nocturne, and the influences aren’t necessarily from music. There are many allusions to nature as I remember it, while growing up in Puerto Rico. “Atardecer” is about dusk, the sunset and the feelings one has while experiencing the beginning of the night in the tropics. The second movement has a folk-like rhythm, but it is not a direct quote. The coquis are the tree frogs one hears at night that produce sounds like those heard in the right hand piano part at the beginning of the movement. “El aire de la noche” is just that: the night air. Finally, the last movement “Alborada” is inspired by the Dominican Republic’s merengue.” |
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