Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Latin music is an inseparable part of the art scene in the United States. Its influence can be felt and heard in jazz, pop, rock, and not surprisingly in classical music as well. Roberto Sierra displays in his compositions a wealth of experience and cultural perspective from his Puerto Rican heritage. And yet, the listener should be able to discern a distinctive thread of the American classical traditions running through his well-crafted music.
Sierra has written a number of works for chamber groups. On the Naxos recording of his first three piano trios is included the "Fanfarria, aria y movimiento perpetuo" (2000), which is a brief work for piano and violin. Here are the composers notes on the piece:
"The opening sounds... are based on the kind of open intervals and triads reminiscent of sonorities that Aaron Copland favored in his music (the work was commissioned by the Library of Congress as part of the Copland centennial celebrations). The fanfare was written to sound almost like an improvisation in which rhythmic elements of salsa can be heard. The aria is a slow section that explores the expressive qualities and singing tone of the violin. As a reminder of the open intervals used at the beginning, and to serve as a bridge to the perpetual motion, we again hear fanfare-like material. The work closes with running sixteenth notes movimiento perpetuo—a rhythmic evocation of salsa music."
Performed by Miguel Borrego (violin) and Juan Carlos Garvayo (piano), members of Trío Arbós. Here is their youtube channel: youtube.com/arbostrio
Images: graffiti art in Puerto Rico; source - blog.vandalog.com/2012/11/graffiti-and-street-art-in-puerto-rico-la-pandilla-ske-rek-bad-and-more
Purchase this recording here: arkivmusic.com/classical/Drilldown?name_id1=11196&name_role1=1&bcorder=1&comp_id=386938
Latin music is an inseparable part of the art scene in the United States. Its influence can be felt and heard in jazz, pop, rock, and not surprisingly in classical music as well. Roberto Sierra displays in his compositions a wealth of experience and cultural perspective from his Puerto Rican heritage. And yet, the listener should be able to discern a distinctive thread of the American classical traditions running through his well-crafted music.
Sierra has written a number of works for chamber groups. On the Naxos recording of his first three piano trios is included the "Fanfarria, aria y movimiento perpetuo" (2000), which is a brief work for piano and violin. Here are the composers notes on the piece:
"The opening sounds... are based on the kind of open intervals and triads reminiscent of sonorities that Aaron Copland favored in his music (the work was commissioned by the Library of Congress as part of the Copland centennial celebrations). The fanfare was written to sound almost like an improvisation in which rhythmic elements of salsa can be heard. The aria is a slow section that explores the expressive qualities and singing tone of the violin. As a reminder of the open intervals used at the beginning, and to serve as a bridge to the perpetual motion, we again hear fanfare-like material. The work closes with running sixteenth notes movimiento perpetuo—a rhythmic evocation of salsa music."
Performed by Miguel Borrego (violin) and Juan Carlos Garvayo (piano), members of Trío Arbós. Here is their youtube channel: youtube.com/arbostrio
Images: graffiti art in Puerto Rico; source - blog.vandalog.com/2012/11/graffiti-and-street-art-in-puerto-rico-la-pandilla-ske-rek-bad-and-more
Purchase this recording here: arkivmusic.com/classical/Drilldown?name_id1=11196&name_role1=1&bcorder=1&comp_id=386938
