Orchestra · Choir
Caminante
for cello and choir Drawing inspiration from the timeless poem by Spanish author Antonio Machado, Caminante (2014) invites us to reflect on our own paths. The music is meditative and intuitive, embracing the uncertainty of the future with humility but with confidence. Machado's verses capture the profound notion of shaping our lives with every step we take. 9'
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MIRAGE
Concerto for cello and orchestra MIRAGE Concerto (2019-24) guides us from desert soundscapes to a maddening dance. The intimate second movement unfolds as a meditative oasis. Following an exhilarating Cadencia, the Marcha ascends to a higher plane, culminating in breathtaking splendor. Thomas Mesa gave the U.S. premiere with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. 18'
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24 Mozas
for cello and string orchestra 24 Mozas (2017) is a short virtuosic work based on the traditional song Tío Babú” from Toro (Spain). The two themes are presented on the cello and the orchestra before taking several unexpected and turns as the exuberant piece develops. The percussive sounds come from the tradition of singing while joyfully hitting the table in rhythm. 4'
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Afilador
for orchestra Afilador (2022-23), commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for MusicNOW, evokes the nostalgic sound of the afilador's whistle, a familiar presence that decorates Latin American and Spanish cultures. This orchestral version captures the magical sounds of the composer's childhood, offering a powerful and moving experience. 9'
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Anthem & Chorale
for string orchestra Anthem (2022) is an introspective work that is often paired with Chorale for Strings. The music evokes the acceptance of letting go of what is beyond our control. Inspired by the concept of an anthem as solace and guidance, this piece aims to offer release to both players and listeners. Commissioned by Anthony Arnone and University of Iowa. 6'
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Herencia
for string orchestra Herencia is a Sphinx Organization commission for the 2023-24 tour "Generations." It reflects on how each artist brings a unique and complex history to every performance. The audience is encouraged to observe this phenomenon as it unfolds on stage, reflecting on their own epic, in all its immensity, and how it has led them to this concert. 9'
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Solo · Duo · Chamber
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SEVEN
for solo cello SEVEN (2020) by Andrea Casarrubios is a tribute to the essential workers during the global pandemic. This piece was written in New York, and it ends with seven bell-like sounds alluding to the 7 PM tribute in appreciation of those on the frontlines. Commissioned by Thomas Mesa. 10'
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Armadura
for solo cello Armadura (2022) draws inspiration from Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The music evokes the silent life and imposed fortress, capturing the fragility of the nascent worlds within, and the effort exerted to protect them. Commissioned by EXTENSITY Concert Series. 8'
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Amid a Place of Stone
for solo violin Amid a Place of Stone (2020) for solo violin
combines nocturne and passacaglia elements, born from deep reverence for those dedicated to the performing arts. The music seeks to radiate light and creativity amidst a rigid space. Work commissioned by Emily Daggett Smith. 10' |
Sandglass
for piano Sandglass (2022) evokes the various states of the sand: the pent-up energy of the waiting particles, the inevitable cascade they experience, and the implacable yet deliberate transformation into stillness and acceptance as we watch time, literally, run out. Commissioned by David Kaplan. 6'
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El Paseo de los Tristes
for guitar El Paseo de los Tristes (2021) explores the gestures of Andalucía, taking its name from one of Granada's most emblematic streets. Situated between La Alhambra and the Albaicín quarter, it has witnessed Granada's rich cultural and musical exchange over centuries. Commissioned by Federico Diaz. 5'
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Magnitude
for viola and piano Magnitude (2022) emerged from the Carr-Petrova Novel Voices Refugee Project, paying homage to the ensemble "Daughters of Jerusalem," Palestinian artists whose courage in music promises profound and enduring impact for generations to come. Commissioned by the Carr-Petrova Duo. 6'
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Afilador
for clarinet, violin, viola & cello Afilador (2022), commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for MusicNOW, evokes the nostalgic sound of the afilador's whistle, a familiar presence that decorates Latin American and Spanish cultures. This quartet version captures the magical sounds of the composer's childhood, offering a powerful and moving experience. 9'
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Sonia
for cello and piano Sonia (2023) was commissioned by cellist Tommy Mesa for the Sphinx Medal of Excellence Ceremony and written in honor of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The music attempts to capture her humanity: the determination, generosity of spirit, thoughtfulness and dedication that characterize Justice Sotomayor both on and off the bench. 6'
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Piano Quintet
Quintet for piano and strings Casarrubios' Piano Quintet (2023), commissioned by Chamber Music Monterey Bay, draws inspiration from California's Central Coast ecosystems, echoing waves and cliffs. The Lullaby offers tranquility and reflection, while Zasca! is infused with rhythmic energy as piano and strings engage in a thrilling summer dance dialogue. 22'
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Silbo
for cello and piano Silbo (2021) draws inspiration from whistled languages developed developed to communicate across long distances. Silbo Gomero from the Canary Islands, for instance, allows full sentences over three miles. In this piece, commissioned by the Cello Teaching Repertoire Consortium, harmonics mimic whistles, while the piano provides the shapes of the landscape and climate conditions. 6'
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Mensajes del Agua
for cello and piano Mensajes del agua (2019) is a meditative work and the music is inspired by the delicate perfection of the shapes found in unpolluted frozen water. Originally written as the slow movement of MIRAGE Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, it is also performed on its own, along with Silbo and 24 Mozas. Almost like an oasis, the music is meant to provide a moment of renewal. 4'
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24 Mozas
for cello and piano 24 Mozas (2017) is a short virtuosic work based on the traditional song Tío Babú” from Toro (Spain). The two themes are presented on the cello and the piano before taking several unexpected turns as the exuberant piece develops. The percussive cello sounds come from the tradition of singing the tune at a casual home gathering, joyfully hitting the table in rhythm with the melody. 4'
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Overture & Chorale
for cello quartet or cello ensemble Overture & Chorale for cello quartet was written for Crescent City Chamber Music Festival. The first movement emphasizes the interplay among the four instruments, merging baroque French rhythms with 21st-century harmonies to highlight the space in between. The Chorale introduces equilibrium and emotional depth, lifting us from a darker place. 4'
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Anthem
for cello quartet or cello ensemble Anthem for cello quartet (2022) was commissioned by the University of Iowa and Anthony Arnone for the 20th Anniversary of Cello Dayz. It evokes the process and acceptance of letting go of what is beyond our control. Inspired by the concept of an anthem as solace and guidance, this piece aims to offer release to both players and listeners. 5'
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The Airport Jog
for cello quartet or cello ensemble Commissioned by The University of Iowa and Anthony Arnone, The Airport Jog is a humorous piece that reflects the many questions posed to cellists—both earnest and hilarious—while en route to their gate. These conversations disrupt their walk, occasionally leading to a frantic sprint to catch their flight while loaded like a pack animal. 3'
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La Libertad se levantó llorando
for violin and cello Liberty rose weeping (2017) for violin, cello, and recitation was composed for violinist Emily Daggett Smith. The text is an excerpt from a Pablo Neruda poem about the Spanish Civil War. The music captures the strength and vulnerability of Neruda's words. Here, the image of battered Liberty reflects our perceptions of the devastation of any war. 13'
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Day 30
for viola and cocktail shaker "Day 30" is a witty, staged short duo created for Luke Fleming (violist and cocktail master) on the 30th day of quarantine in New York, 2020. Premiered by Fleming (viola) and Brendan Speltz (cocktail shaker) at the Chappaquiddick Music Festival in 2021, the piece also has a cello and cocktail shaker version. 1'
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Speechless
for cello and percussion Speechless (2015) explores the meaning of having a voice, questioning whether we are truly understood when we speak and what occurs when we remain silent. Performers embark on a playful yet desperate search, with the music weaving through impulses and visceral reactions in pursuit of an equilibrium to conclude the work. 14'
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Maktub
for cello trio Maktub (2013), composed in Los Angeles for the VI Boccherini Festival in Spain, unfolds in two evocative movements. The first, Mirage, depicts desert soundscapes, in which the music travels from disorientation to a fierce, maddening dance. The second movement, Takao, draws inspiration from Japan's majestic Mount Takao. 6'
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in the age of noise
for string trio in the age of noise (2020) was commissioned by the Manhattan Chamber Players for their "Quarantine Art in the Making" project. Premiered online during the lockdown in Philadelphia by members of the Dover and Escher String Quartets, this piece begins with breath-like gestures, and silence is a fundamental element of the work. 3'
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Maktub
for string trio Maktub (2013), composed in Los Angeles for the VI Boccherini Festival in Spain, unfolds in two evocative movements. The first, Mirage, depicts desert soundscapes, in which the music travels from disorientation to a fierce, maddening dance. The second movement, Takao, draws inspiration from Japan's majestic Mount Takao. 6'
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luzAzul
trio for violin, cello & piano luzAzul (2016) was written for Trio Appassionata's 10th year anniversary. The work is based on the emotional duality of feeling home in two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean, feeling a profound sadness for what is left behind, no matter the direction of the flight. This duality is reflected in the work's palindrome structure. 8'
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Overture & Chorale
for string quartet Overture & Chorale (2020) for string quartet was adapted for Aeolus Quartet for their concert presented by Carnegie Hall in 2023. The first movement merges baroque French rhythms with 21st-century harmonies to highlight the space in between. The Chorale introduces equilibrium and emotional depth, lifting us from a darker place. 4'
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Cadenzas
for Haydn's Cello Concerto in C major These Cadenzas for the first and second movements of Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto infuse the dynamic work with an extra layer of charm, showcasing the solo cellist with moments of wit and surprise. They capture the essence of Haydn's playful spirit with a twist, commissioned and premiered by cellist Hannah Collins. 2'
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