Sierra: Wonderful and Electrifying

“It began about 15 months ago with a wonderful performance I heard featuring James Carter and Roberto Sierra’s Caribbean Rhapsody at the Oregon Symphony!” On the eve of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s August 27 world premiere of Caribbean Rhapsody’s new chamber orchestra version, conductor Sarah Ioannides shares some thoughts about Sierra’s popular work. The performance features […]

Abels & Sierra: Cosmic Convergence

The Chicago Sinfonietta rounds out its season on May 21 and 23 with its “Cosmic Convergence” program, which features the music of two Subito composers: Michael Abels’ Global Warming and Roberto Sierra’s Jubilo. Music director Mei-Ann Chen offers some insight into the ensemble’s season finale. “[This last performance] of our season is entitled ‘Cosmic Convergence’ […]

Sierra: Rollicking, Sensual and Devout

  “I have conducted over 1,700 concerts in my 43-year career. Few have excited me as much as the one I am conducting on May 15 — the world premiere of the two-piano/24-percussion instrument version of Roberto Sierra’s stunning Missa Latina, an untraditional setting of the liturgy which is simultaneously rollicking, sensual, and devout.” Harold […]

Sierra: Color, Energy and Nuance

“I am drawn to Roberto Sierra’s music because of many things, but mostly [to] his use of color, energy and nuance.” Mark Scatterday — conductor (Eastman School of Music) and clinician — explains Sierra’s appeal as he highlights the composer’s music in his March 12 clinic “Transcribing for the 21st-century Wind Ensemble.” The session is […]

Sierra: Musical Archetypes

  On February 24 and 25, the Trío Arbós joins the RTVE Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfonica de Radio y Televisión Española) in Madrid for the world premiere of Roberto Sierra’s Triple Concierto for Violin, Violoncello, Piano & Orquesta. Charles Kalmar leads both performances. Sierra shares some thoughts about his new three-movement work. “This concerto is the […]

Sierra: A Continuous Joy

“For me, it’s a continuous joy to perform [Roberto Sierra’s] Concerto for Saxophones…” On the eve of his German tour, James Carter — world-renowned saxophonist — shares some insight into performing Sierra’s work. Written for Carter, Concerto for Saxophones was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony and premiered in 2002 under the baton of then-music director […]

Sierra: A Great Communicator

“The Eugene Symphony is thrilled to commission Roberto Sierra!” So enthuses Scott Freck, Eugene Symphony’s Executive Director, on the eve of the orchestra’s December 3 world premiere of Loiza. Music Director Danail Rachev conducts Sierra’s new nine-minute work. Freck continues. “[This commission was] part of Eugene Symphony’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, honoring the orchestra’s long-time commitment […]

Sierra: Carried on a Warm Breeze

  On October 3 and 5, the Chicago Sinfonietta opens its 2015-16 season with performances of Roberto Sierra’s Fandangos, led by music director Mei-Ann Chen. Programmed as part of the ensemble’s “Tap In, Turn Up” program, Mei-Ann Chen shares some thoughts about Sierra’s well-known work. “Fandangos is an energetic piece that evokes the sights and […]

Sierra: 21st Century Twists and Turns

On June 4 and 6, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s season finale concerts present Roberto Sierra’s Fandangos, led by guest conductor Gregory Vajda. The 12-minute piece was commissioned by the National Symphony and received its world premiere in February 2001 conducted by Leonard Slatkin. “It was fun to work on Fandangos,” Gregory Vajda shares. “There are a […]

Sierra: Evoking Lost Voices

  UPDATE: Recently, Roberto Sierra’s new choral work Cantares premiered at Carnegie Hall, and was performed by the Cornell University Glee Club and Chorus, with Leon Botstein conducting the American Symphony Orchestra. Performing arts blog “Oberon’s Grove” calls Cantares “panoramic…mystical…heavenly…[and] truly brilliant.” Read the complete review here: http://ow.ly/LUUdR “When I was asked to write Cantares, […]