I had a concert scheduled for today, and it obviously got postponed. Since I had the music prepared, and had ready access to an empty recital hall last week, I decided I might as well make live videos of the pieces on the concert and share them. So here are links for those who might be interested. Something different to pass the time.
I open with music by one of my favorite Mexican composers, Federico Ibarra. I have performed and recorded all his music for piano solo during the past several years, and just completed a recording of his last piano sonata (which he did me the honor of dedicating to me), as well as a short piece he sent me last summer.
Federico Ibarra Sonata #7 (2012)
Then a wonderful piece by a composer from Argentina (now at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro). He spent a couple years at UNM in the 90s, when he first came to the US. He writes in a style based on tango, but a completely different take from Piazzola's.
Alejandro Rutty,
Qualia (2015)
The second half of the concert was dedicated to Heitor Villa-Lobos' set of sixteen Cirandas, written in 1926 and based on popular Brazilian songs. A ciranda is a circle dance, done both by children and by adults as a social activity. I found a source for the original songs on which they were based, and I'll give a short version of the lyrics to each below. The links are to YouTube videos I made Thursday. I also made a
playlist of them all.
Terezinha de Jesus Terezinha de Jesus (woman's name) fell while crossing the street, and three gentlemen came to her aid, hat in hand. The first was her father, the second her brother, and the third was the one to whom she gave her hand.
A Condessa O Countess of France, I have come to seek the hand of one of your daughters.
Senhora Dona Sancha Senhora Dona Sancha (woman's name), covered in gold and silver, take off your mask so we can see your face.
Pobre Cega My mother woke (from sleeping so much) and heard a knock on the door from the poor blind woman. Give her some bread and wine and send her on her way.
Passa, Passa Gavião On the bridge of Alençon, many people pass by. The gentlemen go like this, the ladies like this . . .
Xo, Passarinho O servant of my father, don't cut the hair my father brushed. My stepmother buried it under the fig tree. Shoo little bird!
Fui a Tororo I went to Tororo to get water to drink, and there was none. But on the bank I found a brown-haired girl, and if you don't sleep tonight, you can sleep tomorrow. Now I am no longer alone, as I have Maria for my love.
Nesta Rua, Nesta Rua On this street there is a wood called solitude. In that wood dwells an angle who stole my heart.
If I stole your heart, you also stole mine. If I stole your heart it is because I love you.
Olha O Passarinho, Dominé Look at the little bird, Dominé, caught in a noose, Dominé, give me a kiss, Dominé, give me a hug, Dominé
A Canoa Virou The canoe turned over because so and so didn't know how to row.
Có, có, có So and so is short and not very pretty, co, co, co, but she is my love anyway, co, co, co!
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Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.eduhttp://fredsturm.nethttp://www.artoftuning.com"We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda
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