Mission Chamber Orchestra: Honoring Mexico
Featuring Latin guitarist, Rodolfo Troncoso
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DatesSunday, September 16, 2007, 2:30pm
LocationMexican Heritage Plaza Theater
Tickets$20 for general admission
Box OfficeTickets available at the door and online: www.missionchamber.org |
The Mission Chamber Orchestra will pay tribute to the cultural
heritage of Mexico with a concert of symphonic music by Mexican composers. Scheduled to coincide with
Mexican Independence Day celebrations, the concert will be held at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Theatre,
and will feature Latin guitarist, Rodolfo Troncoso. Mr. Troncoso will perform Manuel Ponce’s Concierto
del Sur with the orchestra, conducted by Emily Ray. His last appearance with the orchestra in 2004 was a sellout.
Kicking off the orchestra’s 2007-08 season, the Sept. 16 concert, “Honoring Mexico,” will also feature works
by Miguel Bernal Jimenez, Candelario Huizar, and Federico Ibarra. The Piedmont Hills High School Chamber
Orchestra will join the MCO string section to perform the perpetual motion work, Metro Chabacano, by Javier Alvarez.
Conductor Emily Ray says this is a perfect way to start MCO's 2007/2008 season, stating,
"The Mission Chamber Orchestra strives to connect with and reflect the rich cultures of our community.
I am proud that we will be presenting this first-ever concert of symphonic music here in Silicon Valley
in which all the pieces performed are written by Mexican composers."
Mexican symphonic music
Many Mexican composers have been influenced greatly by their European counterparts, yet there
are often rhythmic and melodic components that brand the music as Mexican. Candelario Huizar’s
Imágenes ("Images") is a good example. In this symphonic poem from 1919, a pastiche of scenes
ranging from serene to bold, one definitely hears the influence of Debussy. The Angelus of Bernal
Jimenez, though composed in 1943, harkens back to the Romantic period of music (1825-1900) in Europe,
yet it has a distinctly 20th century sound. This work is a fine example of the sacred nationalism
(nacionalismo sacro) movement in Mexico, of which Bernal Jimenez was the foremost composer.
Federico Ibarra’s Segunda Sinfonia and Javier Alvarez’ Metro Chabacano date from the latter half of
the 20th century and incorporate native rhythms to lend a nationalistic flair and drive to the music. T
he exciting ending of Ibarra’s symphony, however, displays a definite influence of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.
Manuel Poncé is considered the most important composer of Mexican music for the guitar and
was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music. His Concierto del Sur
from 1941 was composed for and premiered by the eminent guitarist Andrés Segovia.
While containing elements of Mexican folklore, its flamenco effects are also a salute to the southern part of Spain.
About Rodolfo Troncoso
With his unique blend of classical and Latin American styles and concert performances, the young South
American guitarist, Rodolfo Troncoso is increasingly being engaged to give concerto and recital
appearances in both genres. Rodolfo was born in 1979 in Santiago Chile and at ten years old,
he moved to Spain, shortly afterwards beginning studies on the guitar. His first public performance came two years later.
In February of 1994, Rodolfo came to the United States and continued his studies under the direction
of Doug Burris in Miami. His studies continued with Rene Gonzales (University of Miami), and also
with Manuel Barrueco and the late Juan Mercadal. In addition to his classical studies, Rodolfo
studied Rumba Flamenca with Alex Fox, Juan Serrano Jr. and Rayito.
Rodolfo received the highest ratings in five consecutive years at the Guitar Association in
Florida and at the University of Miami guitar evaluations. He was the recipient of numerous prizes
and awards in competitions around the country, including in 1996, first prize at the Atlanta Music
Festival and in 1997, first prize at the New York Big Apple Classical Festival. A year later, Rodolfo
was again awarded first prize at the Orlando Music festival in Florida.
From 1999 until 2000, Rodolfo toured the United States with Alex Fox playing the bass, rhythm guitar and vocals.
Highlights of the tour included performances at New York Lincoln Center, Pennsylvania QVC and Las Olas River Front in Ft. Lauderdale.
Rodolfo has performed for Janet Reno, and in 1999 at the Mars Foundation Fundraiser with Kenny G and Kenny Rogers.
He is the recipient of numerous recognitions from the city of Miami and the city of Miami Beach, where he lives today.
In addition to his classical performances, Rodolfo has developed his own style of the Rumba Flamenca.
He has composed many songs for different styles of music and in 2000 wrote music for Rudy Perez, as well as the
sound track for the film 'Beach High the Movie'.
This is Rodolfo’s second appearance with the Mission Chamber Orchestra. He was an audience favorite at a sellout
performance in 2004, in which he performed the Concertino of Montes, Rodrigo’s ever popular Concierto de Aranjuez, and two encores.
Photos available at: http://www.chlartists.com/artists/troncosoframe.html
Program:
| Alvarez | Metro Chabacano |
| Bernal Jimenez | Angelus |
| Ponce | Concierto del Sur |
| Ibarra | Segunda Sinfonia |
| Huizar | Imágenes |
About the Mission Chamber Orchestra
Since 1996 the Mission Chamber Orchestra, 35-45 musicians conducted by Emily Ray, has been presenting concerts of classical music in small venues to bring symphonic literature up close to its audiences. Featuring the works of living composers (MCO has premiered several works) as well as the great masters, MCO’s concerts are presented in a relaxed atmosphere and frequently offer visual art in combination with its music. Typically three to four concerts are presented at Le Petit Trianon in downtown San Jose each season.
The Mission Chamber Orchestra has recorded two compact discs: Dreams, a collection of soothing music mainly from the 19th century repertoire, and Reflections on the Hudson, a recording of orchestral works by Palo Alto composer Nancy Bloomer Deussen. Both discs contain Ms. Deussen’s Ascent to Victory, commissioned by MCO.
The Mission Chamber Orchestra (www.missionchamber.org) is a member of the Silicon Valley Arts Coalition, (www.svarts.org).