Heitor Villa-Lobos Website

Southbank Centre: Purcell Room, London, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom
Monday 10-Dec-12 19:45

Clara Rodriguez, in the mood for Tango. Piano recital
Credit: Photograohy Antolin Sanchez/ Designer Carlos DavidCaracas born pianist Clara Rodriguez is often described as an ambassador of Latin-American piano music, and this concert celebrates South American dances and French influence on the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. In this concert, mixing solo piano works and chamber music, Clara Rodriguez, alongside three guest musicians, performs pieces of music for which she feels special affinity and affection. Beginning with the delicate Suite Bergamasque by Claude Debussy, which includes the famous 'Clair de lune', she continues with the London première of Three Preludes by the young Venezuelan composer Mirtru Escalona in which innovative sounds are explored, creating a world of reflection. Mirtru Escalona lives and works in Paris, has won an array of prizes and his music is in much demand worldwide. Clara Rodriguez also gives a performance of Villa-Lobos's 'Hommage a Chopin', an exuberant portrait of Chopin's poetry and passion from the view point of the Amazonian composer. Two large compositions by Astor Piazzolla also feature in the programme - 'Le Grand Tango', dedicated to Mstilav Rostropovich, and the 'Four Seasons of Buenos Aires' in a piano trio version. These pieces are played alongside the French cellist Jordan Gregoris and the Russian violinist Ilya Movchan. To end the evening Clara Rodríguez plays with fellow Venezuelan percussionist Wilmer Sifontes dances from Cuba and Venezuela, as well as a Bambuco and a Pasillo (London premières) by the Colombian composer Germán Darío Pérez . 'Playing with a passion that keeps her from coming up for air, she delivers the contemporary classic works with a fluidity and grace that takes things to a whole other level of the game. One of those players that makes you wonder how she can make so much sound all by herself, a South American piano playing gem' Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Image credit: Photograohy Antolin Sanchez/ Designer Carlos David
Debussy, Claude (1862-1918), Suite bergamasque
Villa-Lobos, Heitor (1887-1959), Hommage à Chopin
Piazzolla, Astor (1921-1992), 4 Estaciones portenas (The 4 Seasons of Buenos Aires)
Piazzolla, Astor (1921-1992), Le Grand Tango
Ruiz, Federico (b. 1948), Zumba que zumba
Escalona Mijares, Mirtru (b. 1976), ...à contempler longuement... (world première)
Clara Rodriguez, Piano
Jordan Gregoris, Cello
Wilmer Sifontes, Percussion

Price type: Low cost, half at £10 or less

Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Concert Hall, Hong Kong, China
Monday 10-Dec-12 20:00

HK Bach Choir: Beethoven Ninth
In celebration of Music Director Jerome Hoberman's 20th anniversary season, the Hong Kong Bach Choir presents an exhilarating evening of music with Heitor Villa-Lobos' Choros No. 10 alongside Beethoven's 9th Symphony with a 150-strong chorus.

An enduring symbol of peace and freedom, the 9th Symphony is as relevant and moving today as it was when it was first performed in 1824. From its stormy opening to its searingly optimistic final choral movement, the symphony is a true epic encompassing all the drama and triumph of human existence. Likewise, the magnetic 1926 Choros No. 10 builds unstoppably towards an explosive choral finale representing the birth of civilization.

Villa-Lobos, Heitor (1887-1959), Chôros no. 10, "Rasga o Coração"
Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827), Symphony no. 9 in D minor "Choral", Op.125
Hong Kong Bach Choir
Hong Kong Bach Orchestra
Jerome Hoberman, Conductor
Camille Lopez Molina, Soprano
Janet Aracama, Mezzo-soprano
Dominique Moralez, Tenor
Noel Azcona, Bass-baritone
Stefan Bevier, Chorus director