SKU: HL.322832

ISBN 9781540070012. UPC: 888680976644. 8.5x11.0x0.203 inches.

Program Notes: Charango Capriccioso for piano and string quartet was written in 2016. It is based on a previous version of the work which was commissioned by the Austin Chamber Music Center, where it was premiered on July 11, 2006 by Cuarteto Latinoamericano, Felicity Coltman, Heather Coltman and Margaret Coltman. The previous version is scored for piano 4-hands, string quartet and a second cello. As with many of my works, Charango Capriccioso reflects on South America and its history. The work opens with a mysterious theme, which - in an enigmatic tongue - seems to invite us to a remote place high in the Andes. The piano and later the solo viola take us to a quiet beautiful landscape where soon the solo viola meditates about the sad events that took place there starting with the Spanish conquest. A charango (suggested by the piano) introduces an Andean-inspired upbeat theme which gains momentum after dancing through shifting rhythms and colorful orchestrations. At this point, the engimatic theme returns with a new, almost disturbing character. Before the dance flies out of control, the solo cello reappears with the meditative theme as distant bells (played by the piano) restore the peace. Miguel del Aguila.