Pura Vida!

A three-movement suite (opt. narration) introducing Latino musical styles:  Samba, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha, Mambo, Mexican Hat Dance. Full orchestra, solo accordion (Mvt. 2), opt. narrator.

Description

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Kallman Creates Publications, Composer Daniel Kallman Kallman Creates Publications

Full orchestra, solo accordion (Mvt. 2), opt. narrator. Duration: 14’00”. Contains “Un Tango Nuevo,” also available separately. Movements: 1. Latino Mix (Samba, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha, and Mambo), 2. Un Tango Nuevo, 3. Variations on “Mexican Hat Dance”

Listen

Mvt. 2, “Un Tango Nuevo” (St. Olaf Orchestra, 2007, St. Olaf College, Steven Amundson conducting)

 

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Composer’s Notes

This work was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra for premiere on a Young People’s Concert called “Viva Latino!” in 2006. Manny Laureano conducted, and I was the narrator. After verbally introducing the piece, the narrator continues speaking over the first part of Movement I, as the percussion instruments introduce each of the styles and the orchestra plays approximately one minute of each: Samba, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha, and Mambo.

Movement II is a tango with accordion solo (see Un Tango Nuevo). For the premiere we had a couple choreograph and dance the tango, which the kids really enjoyed. Movement III is a set of orchestral variations on one of the better known “Mexican Hat Dance” themes. Preceding it were some adorable and talented nine- and ten-year-olds from a local public school who performed the traditional Mexican Hat Dance. In both cases, the dancers are optional.