complete recital program - George Mason University School of Music

freely adapt a number of Baroque harmonic and contrapuntal procedures
to Brazilian music. The Bachiana Brasileira No. 5, “Aria Cantilena” was
originally written for Soprano and orchestra of 8 violoncelli. He later
made an arrangement for guitar and voice, and it has been arranged for
numerous other kinds of instrumental ensembles. It is one of his best
known pieces of music.
Ismael Ledesma (1962-)
Balada del Indio
Ismael Ledesma is a Paraguayan harpist and composer born in 1962, currently
residing in France. He has traveled around the world performing
his own original compositions.
“Balada del Indio” was first recorded in his album of the same
title in 2000. Latin-American and contemporary elements are present.
The rhythms of the main two voices and how they fit together make this
piece very rhythmically driving. This particular arrangement was done by
one of Cristian’s mentors: Paraguayan classical guitarist Berta Rojas.
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Fantasy Piece Op. 73 for Cello and Piano (1st movement)
This work was written in 1849, one of Schumann’s most productive
composing years. Schumann said this of his productivity “For some time
now I’ve been very busy – it’s been my most fruitful year – it seemed as if
the outer storms compelled people to turn inward.” Originally composed
for clarinet and piano, Schumann also included cello and violin parts in
the original composition. It was his intention that the piece could also be
performed by cello or violin with piano accompaniment. Fantasy Pieces
consists of a three movement “cycle of poetic miniatures” beginning with
a movement marked ‘Zart und mit Ausdruck’ which means ‘tender with
longing.’
Sources:
John Daverio and Eric Sams. “Schumann, Robert.” In Grove Music Online. Oxford Music
Online, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.mutex.gmu.edu/subscriber/article/grove/
music/40704pg17 (accessed April 18, 2011).
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