Three Colombian Scenes: Concertino for saxophone and symphonic wind orchestra by Victoriano Valencia
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
Prolific Colombian composer Valencia wrote Three Colombian Scenes:Concertino for saxophone and symphonic wind orchestra “based on the magic of the intercultural ritual, the powerful rhythm, and the spontaneous melodies of latin music, in dialogue with pop & symphonic techniques of the western classical world and the virtuosic technique” of the saxophone. The three movements are characterizations of ‘peasant boatmen’(Boga), an expressive dance(Danza) and the ‘Witches Sabbath’(Aquelarre).This research project sought to realise an effective characterization of the work driven by embodiment methods (Geeves et al 2014), pedagogical method & applying research by Styles (2008) and MacDonald (2019).
Research Contribution
[E]mbodiment assumes the existence of mirroring processes that facilitate the encoding of expressive gestures into sounds, and the decoding of sounds into expressive gestures (Geeves, 2014). Interpreting ‘expressive gestures’ as those associated with musical interpretation, I reflected on this statement over the 12-month research period, and utilised the embodiment ‘mirroring’ ideal for this project was facilitated through viewing visual artworks (Ferdinand Botero, Pedro Ruiz, Doris Slacedo) and music (Lucho Bermudez, Justo Almario) to create a ‘Colombian cultural idiolect’ for this project. Tonal variation, ‘sharper’ articulation & Latin-Amercican based rhythmic interpretation were determined as being primary sources with which to transport these gestures projected within the Perth Concert Hall.
Research Significance
Recognised for my effective preparation and portrayal of musical characterisation, I was invited by Fremantle Symphony Orchestra to prepare and perform a similar character-driven work “Four Pictures from New York” by Italian composer Roberto Molinelli in November 2021. Two of the movements of this work draw from the similar concepts as those found in the Valencia; ‘Dreamy Dawn’ and ‘Tango Club’.
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2020
Location of the Work
Perth
Publisher
Matt Styles/Symphonic Wind Ensemble
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts / Centre for Research in Entertainment, Arts, Technology, Education and Communications
RAS ID
35960
Event Dates
October 31, 2020
Event Venue
Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Western Australia
Duration
20 mins
Comments
Styles, M. (2020). Three Colombian Scenes: Concertino for saxophone and symphonic wind orchestra by Victoriano Valencia [Musical Performance]. Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Western Australia.