Home » Jazz Articles » Live Review » Youth Orchestra of The Americas at Americas Society, Feb 17, 2010
Youth Orchestra of The Americas at Americas Society, Feb 17, 2010
ByAmericas Society
February 17, 2010
New York, NY
The chamber ensemble of the YOA took the stage at Upper East Side's Americas Society for a short showcase of the music they've been exploring since their inception in 2001. Starting off with a string quintet (Ana Drobac, Darwin Aquino: violins; Nicolas Giordano: viola; Sarah Steeves: cello; Rodrigo Becerra: bass), the group started things off with two romantic works by underrated Brazilian composer Alberto Nepomuceno, "Adagio Para Cordas" and Adagio Expressivo." It was a rare opportunity to hear something by Nepomuceno, who is often (and rather unfairly) overshadowed by the likes of Heitor Villa-Lobos and Carlos Gomes.
The group left the room to make way to their horn section (Adam Eccleston: flute; Pablo Moreno: oboe; Guillermo Marin: clarinet; Sean Maree: basoon; Joshua Pantoja: horn), who took on two movements from "Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet." It was interesting to note the musicians' perfect chemistry when performing what was clearly a very complex piece. Sadly, they had to skip a work by Villa-Lobos that was included in the program (possibly due to time constraints, since the concert began with a considerable delay).
The strings returned for "Fuga Criolla" by Juan Bautista Plaza, a very intriguing piece that included touches of Argentinean milonga and Venezuelan folk music, which demanded a lot from both violinists. The same group closed with a tango (which was not on the program) that had a clear contemporary influence, with jazz-inflected changes and a complex arrangement.
It is always a pleasure to hear such young musicians from diverse backgrounds (many hail from Latin American countries) take on the challenge of becoming part of such an open-minded classical orchestra (they are advised by legendary opera singer Placido Domingo). That we had the opportunity to hear them in such an intimate setting makes it even more pleasurable, which keeps us hoping for more of the same.
Tags
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz

Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
New York City
Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses
| More...
New York City Concerts
Sep
22
Mon
Ami Taf Ra
Blue Note New York
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Ami Taf Ra
Blue Note New York
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Michael Leonhart Orchestra "THE BLUE NOTE SUITE"
Dizzy's Club
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Billy Seidman
The Bitter End
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Kameo with Karrin Allyson
Birdland
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Dahveed Behroozi Trio
ShapeShifter Plus
Brooklyn, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Mike Morris & M3 Power
The Bitter End
New York, NY
Sep
22
Mon
Richie Cannata's Monday Night Jam
The Bitter End
New York, NY

New York City
Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...Ami Taf Ra
Blue Note New YorkNew York, NY
Ami Taf Ra
Blue Note New YorkNew York, NY
Michael Leonhart Orchestra "THE BLUE NOTE SUITE"
Dizzy's ClubNew York, NY

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village VanguardNew York, NY

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village VanguardNew York, NY
Billy Seidman
The Bitter EndNew York, NY
Kameo with Karrin Allyson
BirdlandNew York, NY

Dahveed Behroozi Trio
ShapeShifter PlusBrooklyn, NY
Mike Morris & M3 Power
The Bitter EndNew York, NY
Richie Cannata's Monday Night Jam
The Bitter EndNew York, NY