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Pencil drawing by Roland Ramírez
65. SCHTUPAK THE FISH (2009) ca. 12’
Piano quartet
Aaron Wunsch, piano / Jennifer Curtis, violin / Nicholas Mann, viola / Sunny Yang, cello
Commissioned by Jennifer Curtis and Vivian Weilerstein
Premiered at Yellow Barn Festival, Vermont on July 23, 2009 by Aaron Wunsch, piano / Jennifer Curtis, violin / Nicholas Mann, viola / Sunny Yang, cello
63. DRAGONCELLO (2008) ca. 9'
For six cellos and string orchestra
solo cello-strings (4.3.2.2.1 minimum)
: Dragoncello
I Musici de Montréal and cello students of Yuli Turovksy, conducted by Yuli Turovsky
Commissioned by I Musici de Montréal
Premiered at the Place des Arts in Montréal on Sept. 17, 2008
by I Musici de Montréal and cello students of Yuli Turovsky,
conducted by Yuli Turovsky
54. VENEZUELAN SUITE FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO (2006) ca. 13’
In four movements
: Guasa del monocordio de lata
Giovanni Guzzo, violin / Luis Pares, piano
Premiered in Limoges, France in November 2006 by Virginie Robilliard, violin and Ricardo Castro, piano
London premiere at the Venezuelan Cultural Centre on July 11, 2007 with Giovanni Guzzo, violin and Luis Pares, piano
52. MANGOSINFONI (2005) ca. 24’
For harp and organ in six movements
Brazil Pinball
Apache Rondeau
Commissioned by Chelsea Chen and Arielle
Partial premiere at Paul Hall, Juilliard School, New York, in May 2006 with Chelsea Chen, organ and Arielle, harp
50. SINFONIA BUROCRATICA ED’ AMAZZONICA (2004) ca. 18’
1.1.3(II=picc,III=bss).2(II=ctrbsn)-1.1.1.1-timp.perc(2): cwbl(med&lrg)/picc tgl/cyms(+sizzl)/gong (L.)/rim/metl plate/assrtd cans&metl objcts (rattly cwbls) /gongs:A,Eb,Db/güiro/tin torpedo (metallic güiro)/sml maracas/shell shkr or chekre/bngs(stnd)/snr/sml tom/med wdbl/large wood rimmed tom (tambora)/pedl bss dr-marimba-vibraphone-harp-strings (1.1.1.1.1 to 8.6.4.4.3)
Commissioned by Joel Sachs for the New Juilliard Ensemble
Premiered at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City on November 19, 2004 by the New Juilliard Ensemble,
conducted by Joel Sachs
49. MIRANDA’S ROCKET (2004) ca. 4’
For solo piano
Composed for Gabriela Montero
48. FIESTA DE CONTRAPUNTO (2004) ca. 25’
Choral symphony for large mixed choir and symphonic orchestra
Texts by anonymous authors and Paul Desenne, based on popular Venezuelan songs recorded by the Quinteto Contrapunto in the 1960s
3(III=picc).3(III=E.hr.).4(III=Picc,IV=Bss).3(III=ctrbsn)-4.3.2.1-timp.perc (4):snr/toms(med.sml)/pdl bss tom/cyms (med.crsh)/rim/tgls/tamb/
claves/güiro/cwbls(s.m.l)/wdbls(L.s)/tmpl bls/tamboras (lrg & sm wood rimmed toms)/conga/timbales/quitiplás (bamboo sticks: high pair & low)/culo'e puya (2 long slim drums)/tin plate-vibraphone-harp-large mixed choir (s.a.t.b)-cuatro (Venezuelan guitar) 1 to 6 players-strings (10.8.6.6.4 minimum)
: Glosas de la puerca
: Gaban estretoconao
: Scherzo con yopo
Simón Bolívar Orchestra and the Orfeón Universitario UCV and other Caracas choirs, conducted by Alfredo Rugeles
Commissioned by FESNOJIV, the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra Foundation
Premiered at Aula Magna at the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in Caracas in July 2005 by the Simón Bolívar Orchestra and the Orfeón Universitario UCV and other Caracas choirs, conducted by Alfredo Rugeles
47. THE TWO SEASONS (OF THE CARIBBEAN TROPICS) (2003) ca. 22’
Concerto for violin, strings and harpsichord
solo violin-harpsichord-strings (4.3.2.2.1)
Invierno/Rainy Season:
: Coquiloquio (Frog Assembly)
: Wipers Gigavalse/Deslave (Wipers Gigavalse/Landslide)
Verano/Dry Season:
: Noche del grillo transformado (Night of the Transfigured Cricket)
: Cumbión tostao (Big Toasted Cumbia)
: Polo quemao (Burnt Polo - Venezuelan song form)
Virginie Robilliard, violin with the Orchestra of the Mozarteum Foundation, conducted by Olivier Grangean
Commissioned by the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Caracas for violinist Virginie Robilliard
Premiered at Sala Corpbanca in Caracas in December 2003 by Virginie Robilliard, violin and the Orchestra of the
Mozarteum Foundation, conducted by Olivier Grangean; Canadian premiere in December 2004 with Alexis Cárdenas, violin and
I Musici de Montréal, conducted by Yuli Turovsky; New York premiere at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) in January 2009 with Virginie Robilliard, violin and the Brooklyn Philharmonic, conducted by Michael Christie
45. TANGO SABATIER (2003) ca. 12’
Three tangos for arpegina (five-string viola with low E) or viola and piano
: Caceroleando
: Piazzolaberintus
Rallentango-Milonga
Commissioned by luthier Bernard Sabatier, creator of the arpegina
Premiered at Château Barreyre near Bordeaux, France in May 2003 by Jean-Paul Minalli, arpegina and Véronique Goudin, piano
43. GUASA MACABRA (2003) ca. 12’
Duet for flute and clarinet
: Guasa macabra
Javier Montilla, flute / Jorge Montilla, clarinet
Commissioned by Jorge and Javier Montilla
Premiered at the Las Vegas International Flute Convention in August 2003 by Jorge and Javier Montilla
42. HAKU UN YUU YUU (2003) ca. 15’20”
For flute, violin, cello, double bass, xaphoon and mixed media
: Haku un yuu yuu
Luis Julio Toro, flute / Virginie Robilliard, violin / Paul Desenne, cello and programmed mechanical music box /
Alonso Toro, Hawaiian clarinet and sound design / Roberto Koch, bass
Commissioned by the Japanese Jodoshu Buddhist community of Sao Paulo, Brazil (Bishop Yomei Sasaki) for a commemorative CD and book released in June 2003
41. EL RETO: LEYENDA DE FLORENTINO Y EL DIABLO (2002-2003) ca. 30’
Cantata for tenor, baritone, narrator, chamber orchestra, and traditional Venezuelan instruments including diatonic harps, bandola, cuatro, maracas, Afro-Venezuelan percussion
Texts by Alberto Arvelo Torrealba
fl, ob, cl, bass cl, bsn, alt sx, Fr hr, trp, tbn, 2 perc (quitiplás, congas, bombo, wb, cwbl, toms), maracas, string orchestra (minimum 2 stands of 1st vlns; amplified acoustic bass), Venezuelan instruments: harp, bandola, cuatro
: Introduction
: El Reto
Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío from their CD El Reto with William Alvarado, narrator/baritone / Argenis Sánchez, tenor /
Francisco Pacheco, baritone
Commissioned by Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío
Premiered at the Teatro de Teresa Carreño in Caracas in Dec. 2003 by Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío,
conducted by Manuel Hernández Silva
39. JAGUAR SONGS FOR SOLO CELLO (2002) ca. 20’
: Gitane
: Tombeau pour l'Amazonie
: Birimbao / Jaguar
Paul Desenne, cello
Composed for French cellist Iseut Chuat
Premiered at Galería Sextante in Bogotá, Colombia on May 7, 2003 by Paul Desenne, cello; European premiere at the
Venezuelan Cultural Centre in London, July 2003, with Paul Desenne, cello
35. SONATA FOR SOLO FLUTE (2001) ca. 21’
Ten movements including theme and variations on Mission Impossible
: America divagación
: Guasaranas
: Thema Mission Impossible
: Variation 1
: Variation 2
: Variation 3
: Variation 4
: Variation 5
: Guasaranas 2
: Ranchoson
Luis Julio Toro, flute
Premiered at the International Flute Convention in Denver, Colorado in September 2001 by Javier Montilla, flute
34. THREE ORCHESTRAL STUDIES (2001) ca. 25’
Three movements for symphonic orchestra
4(IV=picc).3(III=E.hr.).3(III=bss).3(III=ctrbsn)-4.3.3(I,II=t/bsIII=bss).1-timp.perc (4):set 5 temple bl/tgl/assrtd cwbls/jawbone/tamb/bongs (stnd)/3conga set/tamtam (lrg)/hihat/cymbs (s.m.l)/crash cyms/pedl bss tom/snr/ocean drum (G.C. skin with free rolling shotgun pellets)/set of 7 rototoms/chimes/bamboo wind chimes (large bunch)-marimba-vibraphone-harp-strings (10.8.6.6.4 minimum)
: Salón Caníbal
: Recuerdos de Venosa
: Macuto
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Desenne
Commissioned by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra
Premiered by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in June 2001, conducted by Paul Desenne
33. PAJARO-GUARACHA (2001) ca. 3' 30''
For four celli (or more)
: Pájaro-guaracha
The 12 cellists of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
Commissioned by Cello in New York
12 celli version premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in August 2005 by members of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
31. THE GLASS BAMBOO FROG CONSORT (1995-2001) ca. 9' 30''
For four celli (or more)
: The Glass Bamboo Frog Consort
The 12 cellists of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
Commissioned by Cello in New York
Premiered at the Beauvais Cello Festival in France in May 2001 by Cello; 12 celli version premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in August 2005 by members of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
30. LA REVOLTOSA (2000) ca. 18’
Venezuelan Rhapsody for violin or piccolo clarinet (Eb) and piano
: La Revoltosa
Jorge Montilla, clarinet
Commissioned by the Cisneros Foundation for violinist Alexis Cárdenas
Transcribed for piccolo clarinet and piano in 2005 for Jorge Montilla
Clarinet version premiered and recorded at the University of Arizona in 2006 by Jorge Montilla, clarinet
29. HAYDN TUYERO, CHICHARRAS, GALEONES (2000) ca. 12’
Trio for flute, English horn or clarinet, and violin or cello, in two movements (with pre-recorded track)
: First Part
: Second Part
Luis Julio Toro, flute / Jaime Martínez, English horn / Paul Desenne, cello
Commissioned by Gustavo Cisneros
Premiered at Hacienda Carabobo, near Caracas, on June 10, 2000 by Luis Julio Toro, flute, Jaime Martínez, English horn,
and Paul Desenne, cello; US premiere in Durham, North Carolina in 2004 with the Mallarmé Players
ALZHEIMER (1999)
A humorous CD of collective studio work with co-authors Alonso Toro and Pedro Vasquez, exploring forgotten roots of Latin American music through fictional recreations. Pieces range from quartets including Venezuelan cuatro (small guitar), Renaissance cornetto, Hawaiian bamboo clarinet, and electric cello to gigantic tribal fantasies involving many percussionists, a large choir and other guest players on diverse instruments.
: El nombre de la burriquita
: Chévere mongüolo
: Gaita de aniceto rondón
26. RRONQUIPLASS (1999) ca. 3’40”
For wind nonet (final movement for Visión Galeónica and Platillos Voladores, same instrumentation - see #7)
: Rronquiplass
Camerata de las Américas of Mexico, conducted by Joel Sachs
Commissioned by Joel Sachs at Juilliard
Recorded by the Camerata de las Américas of Mexico, conducted by Joel Sachs
25. TRIO FOR CLARINET, CELLO OR BASSOON, AND PIANO (1998-99) ca. 14’
Also available for clarinet quartet (see #40)
: Ornitolo chipoleao
: Borges Triangle
Recuerdos de Venosa III
Tacata Tocata
Taqui Ensemble (Jorge Montilla, clarinet)
Commissioned by clarinetist Paquito de Rivera for his ensemble Triangulo
Premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in November 2000 by Continuum; Premiere of bassoon version at the Contemporary Music Festival in Puerto Rico, summer 2003, with Ensemble Taqui; Complete bassoon version premiered at the MoMA Summergarden Series in New York in 2005 by Moran Katz, clarinet / Jennifer Rhodes, bassoon / Joel Sachs, piano
24. SONATA FOR SOLO VIOLIN (1998) ca. 18’
: Spiral Capriccio
: Epaves
: The Worm's Belly Dance
: Andante con yopo / Alegrías
Commissioned by the Carlos and Alegría Beracasa Foundation
Premiered at the Royal Academy of Music in London in February 1999 by Virginie Robilliard, violin
22. SONATA FOR CLARINET AND PIANO (1997) ca. 12’
: Tácata-tocata
: Borges
: Aracataca toca
Jorge Montilla, clarinet / Gail Novak, piano
Commissioned by clarinetist Eloy Salgado
Premiered at Indiana University in 2002 by Jorge Montilla, clarinet and Gail Novak, piano; Venezuelan premiere at the
Sala de Conciertos de la UCV in Caracas in 2005 with Eloy Salgado, clarinet and Sadao Muraki, piano
20. SUITE CLARINIGHT (1997) ca. 10’
For clarinet quartet
: Papayera
: Charcona
: Guasacaglia melancholica
Caracas Clarinet Quartet
Commissioned and premiered by the Caracas Clarinet Quartet in 1997
18. Tocata Galeónica Cuarta (1991-94) ca. 12’
For two violins, cello and harpsichord in three movements
Version for sextet written in 2002 for the Accadèmia Bizantina di Ravenna, adding a viola and a double bass
: Coplas del mangle
Recuerdos de Venosa II
Tuyerias
17. THREE PIECES FOR FLUTE AND GUITAR (TRIPTICO) (1994-95) ca. 10’
Bossanovals
: Recuerdos de Venosa
Kumbiologia
Luis Julio Toro, flute / Rubén Riera, guitar
Premiered at the Contemporary Music Festival in Caracas in October 1995 by Luis Julio Toro, flute and Rubén Riera, guitar
11. PIZZIQUITIPLAS (1988-89) ca. 6’30”
For three celli (or viola and 2 celli). Also available for harp, flute and cello.
: Pizziquitiplás
Miguel Rojas, cello / Manuel Mijares, cello / Paul Desenne, cello
Premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in 1990 by the Paul Desenne Ensemble; US premiere at the Focus! Festival, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York in 1994; Viola version premiered at Weill Recital Hall in New York in December 1994 by Paul Desenne and members of the Cuarteto Latinoamericano of Mexico
7. VISION GALEONICA and PLATILLOS VOLADORES (1990) ca. 10’
For wind nonet in two movements (see third movement, #26 – Rronquiplass)
fl, ob, Eng hr, cl, bass cl, bsn, ctrbsn, 2 Fr hr
: Visión galeónica
: Platillos voladores
Camerata de las Américas of Mexico, conducted by Joel Sachs
Commissioned by the Nederlands Blasers Ensemble
Premiered in December 1990 at the Paradiso, Amsterdam by the Nederlands Blasers Ensemble, conducted by Tania León
6. PIZZIQUITIPLAS (1989) ca. 6’17” and PIZZIGUASA GALEONICA (1988-89) ca. 5’45”
For harp, flute and cello
Pizziquitiplas also available for viola and two celli, or for three celli
: Pizziguasa galeónica
Nicolás Real, flute / Anette Léon, harp / Paul Desenne, cello
Premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in 1990 by the Paul Desenne Ensemble
3. QUINTETO DE LA CULEBRA (1988) ca. 5’
For flute, oboe, violin, cello and cuatro (Venezuelan guitar) in two movements
: Pajarillo de la culebra
: Bambuco cruzado
Nicolás Real, flute / Anette León, harp / Paul Desenne, cello
Premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in 1990 by the Paul Desenne Ensemble; US premiere at the Caramoor International Music Festival in New York in 2008 with Paquito d’Rivera
2. BOTELLA AL GUAIRE (1985-86) ca. 14’
For flute, English horn, violin, cello and cuatro (Venezuelan guitar) in three movements
: Guasa del 5 y 6
: Canción de cuna de las montañas de Caracas
Nicolás Real, flute / Anette León, harp / Paul Desenne, cello
Premiered at Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas in June 1990 by the Paul Desenne Ensemble
1. Quinteto del Pájaro (1981-83) ca. 17'
For flute, oboe/English horn, violin, cello and cuatro (Venezuelan guitar) in four movements
: Guasa del borrachito
: Alba / vals
: Periquera
Nicolás Real, flute / Andrés Eloy Medina, oboe and English horn / David Moreira, violin / Paul Desenne, cello / Aquiles Báez, cuatro (Recorded in 1990)
Premiered in Paris, Dec. 1983 by the Paul Desenne Ensemble; US premiere at Weill Recital Hall, New York in Dec. 1994 with Paul Desenne and members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, organized by the American Composers Orchestra