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Posted: 1/24/13

Laredo Phil Brings ‘La Salsa’ to Stage Sunday

 

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For his third symphonic composition, composer Roberto Sierra added the title “La Salsa” to explain the many Latin rhythms that pervade the piece. The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra is excited to present this exciting Roberto Sierra symphony Sunday, January 27 at 3 p.m. at the Laredo Community College Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez Fine Arts Center.

The Sunday concert features Sierra’s highly original Sinfonia No. 3, “La Salsa.” For ticket information, contact the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra at (956) 326-3042 or visit www.laredophil.com. Tickets are on sale via web or phone reservation and available at the door.

This season, the Laredo Phil is focusing on different “Celebrations” (including partnership, the holiday season, youth and accomplishment). The Sierra composition was chosen to highlight the celebration of diversity in music.

This celebration of diversity encourages the community to come together and, using Sierra’s Latin sounds as a bridge, connect with the classical works of the past, explained Laredo Phil music director Brendan Townsend.

“This brilliant new work contrasts remarkably with the wonderfully lush and powerful Brahms Violin Concerto,” said Townsend, “and by highlighting this contrast, we celebrate the truly diverse styles of music in our lives.”

Townsend noted Sierra’s brilliance has been awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

“Roberto Sierra writes brilliant music, mixing fresh and personal melodic line with sparkling harmonies and striking rhythms…” noted the Academy when they presented Sierra with their Academy Award in Music in 2003.

The themes and rhythms from Latin America, which Sierra incorporated into this symphony, highlight the diversity of musical styles performed around the country.

“In the true spirit of salsa music I mix diverse types of older and newer rhythms from the music I remember of growing up in Puerto Rico,” the composer has explained.  He adds that his music is about the people of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, and is influenced by his European education as well.

Sierra is an American composer who loves to combine his Puerto Rican roots in all of his works. After finishing his composition studies in Europe, Sierra returned to Puerto Rico. There he began developing his unique blend of Latin roots within the “Classical” genre which has led to commissions and performances around the world.

For additional information on the Laredo Phil, call (956) 326-3042 or visit www.laredophil.com


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