This year marks the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil. To celebrate the bicentennial, Postclassical Ensemble (PCE) will showcase two centuries of music from South America on 19 and 20 November at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater.
The program ranges from the earliest known works by composers native to Brazil to a world premiere commission by pianist-composer André Mehmari. Curator Flávio Chamis (a composer, conductor, and educator) and guest artists Lucas Ashby (percussion), Tatjana Mead Chamis (viola), and Elin Melgarejo (vocalist) join Mehmari and artistic director and conductor Ángel Gil-Ordóñez for this panoramic view of Brazilian concert music.
“The program includes a tempestuous classical overture by José Maurício Nunes, the modern and US premiere of Francisco Mignone’s Quadros Amazônicos (an orchestral suite based on myths from the Amazon), Heitor Villa-Lobos’s Bachiana Brasileiras no. 4, a set of popular Brazilian songs performed by DC’s Elin Melgarejo, and chamber music featuring Latin GRAMMY-nominated violist Tatjana Mead Chamis.”
Related free events:
Thursday, November 14 at 6pm: PCE Prelude, a free conversation at Georgetown University (and live-streamed) previewing the concerts. (Registration required)
(SOLD OUT) Friday, November 15, at 12:30pm: guest artist André Mehmari gives a free performance as part of Georgetown University’s Friday Music Series. (Registration required)
PROGRAM:
Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship
Tue. Nov. 19, 2024 7:30p.m
Wed. Nov. 20, 2024 7:30p.m
Terrace Theater | The Kennedy Center | 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC
Presented without intermission
Flávio Chamis, guest curator
Lucas Ashby, percussion
Tatjana Mead Chamis, viola
André Mehmari, piano and composer
Elin Melgarejo, vocalist
PostClassical Ensemble conducted by Angel Gil-Ordóñez
Zequinha de Abreu arr. Jamberê Cerqueira: Tico-Tico no Fubá
Padre José Maurício Nunes Garcia: Zemira
André Mehmari: Sonata for Viola
Francisco Mignone: Selection from Tres Valsas Brasileiras
Francisco Mignone: Saci and Caapora from Quadros Amazônicos
Brazilian popular songs arranged for voice and chamber orchestra: Odeón, One Note Samba, Labrinto, Samba em Preludio
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Preludio from Bachiana Brasileiras no. 4
André Mehmari: Rag Chorado. A Celebratory Humoreske (world premiere work for piano and orchestra)
Complete list of events with program notes here.
Filed under: music news, PostClassical Ensemble
MEMETERIA by Thomas May 