Symphonic
97- La Petite Bande à Schubert, 12' (2022)
For String Orchestra (ideally 6-5-4-3-2) with quartet principals playing successive solos accompanied by the orchestra.
Commissioned by the Boston Celebrity Series.
Premiered by the Boston String Academy at the Harvard Epworth Church, Nov. 12, 2022
1- Introduction
2- Spaghetti Western (Violin 1 solo)
3- Cantilena (Violin 2 solo)
4- Guasa (Cello solo)
5- Tango (Viola solo)
90- Triqui-Traqui - Tritsch-Tratsch make over
“Commissioned by Gustavo Dudamel for his 2017 New Year’s concert with the Vienna Philharmonic, my Caribbean reinterpretation of Strauss’ famous Tritsch-Tratsch Polka was deemed too osée for the occasion, yet the maestro recorded it that year, not in Vienna but in Caracas, with the fabulous performers of his orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar, and published it on the web as his musical New Year’s greetings card. The gesture was meaningful, and bold. I’m convinced that Johann Strauss, a man immersed in the fashions of his city and his time, would have loved the idea; a musical collage which carries in its banter a very strong aesthetic statement. The lightest and most frivolous things seem to always carry the deepest messages, let us not forget. ... ... Today, this version of my transformed Tritsch- Tratsch Polka for Symphonic Band created by Steve Boehm, will certainly tickle the Viennese in each and every one of us, and we will be very happy!”
Paul Desenne. Massachusetts, Nov. 2021
88- Guasamacabra 14' for Symphonic Orchestra (2018)
Commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in one movement; premiere scheduled on the opening concert of the Philharmonic's centennial season, September 30 2018, Hollywood Bowl, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
83- "El Caimán" (2016) ca. 3'45''
Divertimento Criollo (ca. 8')
For Orchestra:
3(picc).2.3(Eb).2. 2.3.3(tb).1. Timp. 3Perc. Hrp. Strings
Commissioned by Gustavo Dudamel for The O.S.S.B
81- Symphony No. 5 Op. 81 (2016)
2.2.2.2. 2.2.2.1. Timp. 2 Perc. Hrp. Pno. Strings.
1-The real Caracas
2-Blu
3-Ondas
Commissioned by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Carlos Izcaray.
Premiered at UAB's Alys Stephens Center, April 1 & 2, 2016, by the A.S.O. conducted by Carlos Izcaray.
80- The Life of Benjamin (2015)
a Monkey Symphony (ca. 22-23') Commissioned by Joel Sachs for the New Juilliard Ensemble and Allen Hirsch, to the memory of Benjamin, the Capuchin monkey from the jungles of Chirimena, Venezuela.
Scheduled Premiere: April 10 2015, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City; New Juilliard Ensemble / Joel Sachs, cond.
1.1.2 (2=Bss) .1 / 1.1.1.1 /2 perc (incl. timp) / harp / 1.1.1.1.1 (or up to a medium-size string section)
Perc: Drums (snare, 3 small toms, cymbals, pedal bss small hihat), 2 timpani, large marimba, gran cassa, cowbells, triangle, woodblocks , claves, bamboo güiro, small maracas, bongos)
Comissioned by the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar & Gustavo Dudamel for a Homage to Simón Díaz
Premiere scheduled November 9, 2014 OSSB Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, Caracas, Venezuela.
3(3=picc). 3(3= E.hr.). 4(3=picc, 4=bss). 3(3=ctrfg). - 4. 3. 3(3=bss). 1. - timp. 2 perc.(bells, mcas, trngl, snare, ped.bss tom, cymb). - mba. vibes. harp. clst.- strings (8 v1)
75. 3 Piezas para Orquesta Juvenil (2014)
3 Pieces for Youth orchestra) (duration ca.14')
1-Allegro Giocoso
2-Chacona
3-Kyrie (con coro a 2 voces / with a children's choir, 2 voices)
2.2.2.2. 2.2.2.1. timp. perc (xil, bells, crsh cymb, cymb, snare, trngl, slgh blls). coro (2 voci: S.S.). strings (6.4.3.2.2 min)
73. SINFONIA CLASICA "LA TERESA" (2013), ca. 20'
Didactic symphony in three movements
Allegro, con eleganza
Minuetto / Trio
Moderato / Presto
2.2.2.2-2.2.2.1. - timp. - strings (6.4.3.2.2 minimum)
Dedicated to the Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela (El Sistema Youth Orchestras)
Premiered by the Mérida Symphony Orchestra (El Sistema, Venezuela)
68. SINFONIA Op. 68 (2010-2012) ca. 60'
For symphony orchestra
Andante assai
Ocaso de los Shamanes
Scherzo (demo)
Reguethoven en los Tiempos del Ruido
3(3=alto). 3(3= E.hr.). 4(3=picc, 4=bss). 3(3=ctrfg). - 4. 4(1=in D). 3(3=bss). 2. - timp. 3 perc. (list available on demand). - mba. vibes. harp. clst.- strings (large section)
Commissioned by El Sistema for the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra
with support from a Guggenheim Fellowship
Premiere April 2012 in Caracas, Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar
63. DRAGONCELLO (2008) ca. 9'
For six cellos and string orchestra
solo cello-strings (4.3.2.2.1 minimum)
I Musici de Montréal and cello students of Yuli Turovksy, with Yuli Turovsky, conductor
Commissioned by I Musici de Montréal
YouTube video (Part 1)
YouTube video (Part 2)
Premiered at the Place des Arts in Montréal on Sept. 17, 2008 by I Musici de Montréal and cello students of Yuli Turovsky with Yuli Turovsky, conductor
61. PALENKUMBE (2007) ca. 10'
Symphonic Overture
2.2.2.2-2.2.2.0-timp.perc(2): wdbls/cwbls/tmtm/cyms/chekre/mrcs/güiro/
congas/wdtom-strings (6.4.3.2.2 minimum)
Commissioned by the Salvi Foundation
Premiered as the opening of the 2008 Cartagena International Music Festival in Colombia by I Musici de Montréal Orchestra;
European premiere at Theater Lübeck in Germany on November 9, 2008 by the Orchestra of Theater Lübeck, conducted by Raphael Jiménez
58. SYMPHONY FOR BRASS AND PERCUSSION (2007) ca. 17’
Von Caracas
Guasa Platz
Kiti Platz
2 picc tp Bb/6 tp Bb/2 flug/6hr/4ten tb/4bss tb/1bar/2tba timp.perc(2):3toms/2rototoms/snr/
pedl bss tom/timbales/cyms/crash cyms/ assrtdcwblls (6,lrg&sml)/assrtd wdbl/
vibrslap/B-hiB-C#-F-hiF gongs/maracas/tambora (wood rimmed tom)
Commissioned by El Sistema in Caracas
53. THE BASS CONCERTO (2006) ca. 17’
For double bass and orchestra
Sisifo
La Noche
Pink Bull
2 (II= picc).2 (II=E.hr.).2 (II=Bs.cl).2(II=ctrbsn)-2.2.1.1-timp.perc(2): cyms/picc snr/3toms/pdl bss tom/additional small (toy) drumset (standing player)/bngos/wdbl/assrtd cwbl/sleigh bll/claves/sml maracas/castanets/güiro-strings (8.6.4.4.3 recommended)
Commissioned by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (POA) and Alondra de la Parra for Edicson Ruiz, bass
Premiered at Alice Tully Hall, New York City in June 2006 by Edicson Ruiz, bass and the POA, conducted by
Alondra de la Parra
50. SINFONIA BUROCRATICA ED’ AMAZZONICA (2004) ca. 18’
La Leçon
Anaconda
Guasarana
Bananera
Death of the Automobile
New Juilliard Ensemble conducted by Joel Sachs
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
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 Quinteto Contrapunto in the 1960s
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
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)/pdlbss 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)
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
Invierno/Rainy Season
Goteras (Roof Leaks)
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
solo violin-harpsichord-strings (4.3.2.2.1)
Commissioned by the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Caracas for violinist Virginie Robilliard
Premiered at Sala Corpbanca in Caracas in Dec. 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
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
Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío from their CD El Reto with William Alvarado, narrator and baritone / Argenis Sánchez, tenor / Francisco Pacheco, baritone
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
Commissioned by Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío
Premiered at the Teatro de Teresa Carreño in Caracas in December 2003 by Camerata Criolla and Ensamble Gurrufío, conducted by Manuel Hernández Silva
38. CONCERTO FOR CELLO AND ORCHESTRA (2001-2002) ca. 27’
“1”
Ictus Piraña
Twist Rondeau
4(IV=picc).3(III=E.hr.).3(III=bss).3(III=ctrbsn)-4.3.3(III=tnr/bss).1-timp.perc (4): congas/bongs/güiro/cwbls (s.m.l.)/maracas/cyms (assrtd+sizzl)/crash cyms/tamb/wdbl (sml)/claves/tgl/chekere/cabaza/3toms/pdl bsstom/snr/timbales-large marimba-celesta-2 harps-
solo cello-strings (8.6.4.4.3 minimum)
Commissioned by Carlos Prieto, cello
36. PAS DE DEUX, SANS TROIS (2001-2002) ca. 14’
Concertino for flute, cello, strings and harp in two movements
solo flute-solo cello-harp-strings (6.4.3.2.1 minimum)
Commissioned by Jacques Zoon, flute and Iseut Chuat, cello
Premiered at Faneuil Hall, Boston on February 15, 2002 by Jacques Zoon, flute and Iseut Chuat, cello, conducted by Steve Lipsitt
34. THREE ORCHESTRAL STUDIES (2001) ca. 25’
Three movements for symphonic orchestra
Salón Caníbal
Recuerdos de Venosa
Macuto
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Desenne
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)
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
28. THREE TROPICAL MOVES (1999) ca. 22’
For large ensemble (19 chamber players) in three movements
Mecamixteca
Cenizas
Gran Bululu
1.1(E.hr).2 (II=Bs.cl). 2 (II= ctrbsn)-0.1.1.0-marimba-vibraphone-celesta-harp-strings (6.4.3.3.1 minimum)
Commissioned by the New Juilliard Ensemble
Premiered at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City in December 1999 by the New Juilliard Ensemble,
conducted by Joel Sachs