Ciranda

METROPOLIS ENSEMBLE AND (LE) POISSON ROUGE PRESENT

Tuesday, January 7, 2020
(Le) Poisson Rouge / 158 Bleecker St / New York, NY 10012
7:00pm doors / 8:00pm show
Tickets: $35 VIP Table Seating, $20 GA Table Seating, $10 Standing / Student

Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble gathers a super-group of internationally recognized soloists and composer/performers from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, and the United States to showcase folk-inspired Nuevo Latino music as it intermixes with New York’s contemporary classical scene.

Newly commissioned and arranged music from musical artists Clarice Assad (voice), JP Jofre (bandoneon), João Luiz Rezende (guitar), and Samuel Torres (percussion) will be performed in collaboration with two recent Avery Fisher Career Grant winners, violinist Francisco Fullana and harpist Bridget Kibbey, clarinetist Louis Arques, and accompanied by Metropolis Ensemble strings and percussion.

The concert title is inspired by a traditional musical form in Brazil (of Portuguese origin) known as Ciranda, which have versions for both children and adults.

On the Program:

João Luiz Rezende: Harp Concerto
1. Cortejo (Maracatú)
2. Mar calmo (Cantiga)
3. Acrobático (Frevo)
for harp (Bridget Kibbey) and chamber orchestra

JP Jofre: Double Concerto**
for violin (Francisco Fullana), bandoneon (JP Jofre) and chamber orchestra

Clarice Assad: Cirandadas****
for voice (Clarice Assad) percussion (Keita Ogawa) and chamber orchestra

João Luiz Rezende: The 7 Meetings for Harp and Guitar
1. Morbid, Festive, tempo primo
2. Calm
3. Rhythmic
for harp (Bridget Kibbey), guitar (João Luiz Rezende) and chamber orchestra

Samuel Torres: Taken***

for Congas (Samuel Torres) and Harp (Bridget Kibbey)

Jacob de Bandolim: Assanhado

Jose Barros/Benito Meza: El Pescador

Juan Manuel Plaza: Currucha

*New York Premiere: Co-Commissioned by Bridget Kibbey, James Rosenfield, Atlantic Classical Orchestra, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble...with premiere performances by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Atlantic Classical Orchestra.
**New York Premiere
***World Premiere: Commissioned by Bridget Kibbey
****World Premiere: Metropolis Ensemble commissioned (arrangement)

Metropolis Ensemble artists appearing:

Violin
Brian Hong
Katie Hyun
Siwoo Kim
Giancarlo Latta
Hannah Tarley
Henry Wang

Viola
Sung Jin Lee
Ramón Carrero-Martínez

Cello
Michael Katz
Christine J. Lee

Bass
Evan Runyon

Percussion
Victor Caccese
Terry Sweeney

Earl Lee, guest conductor
Andrew Cyr, artistic director/founder

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Featured

LOUIS ARQUES / CLARINET

Louis Arques is a multifaceted clarinetist passionate about encounters, travels, nature and arts. Moving from France to the United States in Fall 2016, he has swiftly become one of New York City’s in-demand soloists, orchestral musicians, chamber players and sidemen.

CLARICE ASSAD / VOICE/COMPOSER

A powerful communicator renowned for her musical scope and versatility, Brazilian American Clarice Assad is a significant artistic voice in the classical, world music, pop and jazz genres. A Grammy-nominated composer, celebrated pianist and inventive vocalist… READ MORE

FRANCISCO FULLANA / VIOLIN

Spanish violinist Francisco Fullana, winner of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, has received international praise as a "rising star" (BBC Music Magazine), an "amazing talent" (maestro Gustavo Dudamel) and "a paragon of delicacy" (San Francisco’s Classical Voice)… READ MORE

JP JOFRE / BANDONEON/COMPOSER

Native from San Juan, Argentina, JP Jofre is an award-winning bandoneon player and composer. He has been repeatedly highlighted by the New York Times and praised as one of today’s leading artists by Great Performers at Lincoln Center. His music has been recorded… READ MORE

BRIDGET KIBBEY / HARP

According to the New York Times, harpist Bridget Kibbey “…makes it seems as though he instrument had been waiting all its life to explode with the energetic figures and gorgeous colors she was getting from it.” Called the "Yo-Yo Ma of the harp," by Vogue’s Senior… READ MORE

KEITA OGAWA / PERCUSSION

Hailing originally from Sasebo city, Nagasaki, Japan, Keita Ogawa is Grammy Award winner (as Snarky puppy member) and one of the most versatile and sought-after percussionist and drummer in New York City. He started his music career on drum set at the age of 15… READ MORE

JOÃO LUIZ REZENDE / GUITAR/COMPOSER

Two time Latin Grammy nominee guitarist, educator, and composer João Luiz Rezende, began to play the popular music of his native Brazil professionally during his childhood and was later trained in classical guitar by his mentor Henrique Pinto. Winner of the 2006 Concert Artists Guild Competition as a member of the critically acclaimed Brasil Guitar Duo, João has performed extensively in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. His versatility led him to be chosen to collaborate with Yo-Yo Ma and Carlos Prieto on a project to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer in a landmark concert in Cuba in 2014.

SAMUEL TORRES / PERCUSSION/COMPOSER

When the imposing talents of one of today’s most versatile Latin jazz artists meld with the organic richness of some of the world’s greatest cultural melting pots, the results are guaranteed to be as fresh and virtuosic as they are revealing and magical. Torres was born… READ MORE

RAMÓN CARRERO-MARTÍNEZ / VIOLA

A distinguished chamber musician, Venezuelan Violist Ramón Carrero-Martínez has established himself as a winner of numerous competitions in the US and Venezuela. Including first prize in the Maria Paula Alonzo Chamber Music Competition 2014 in Caracas… READ MORE

VICTOR CACCESE / PERCUSSION

Victor Caccese is the founder of the Brooklyn-based percussion quartet, Sandbox Percussion. As a member of Sandbox, Victor has performed over 150 concerts worldwide and taught at institutions such as The Peabody Conservatory, The Curtis Institute, Michigan State… READ MORE

BRIAN HONG / VIOLIN

With a growing reputation for passionate and powerful performances, Korean-American violinist Brian Hong is forging a career as a soloist and chamber musician. Known for his commanding stage presence, palette of sonic colors, and honest interpretations, Mr. Hong… READ MORE

KATIE HYUN / VIOLIN

Praised for her “sensitivity and top shelf artistry” (Cleveland.com), violinist Katie Hyun has made solo appearances with the Houston Symphony, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Columbia Festival Orchestra… READ MORE

MICHAEL KATZ / CELLO

Hailed by the press for his “bold, rich sound” (Strad Magazine) and “nuanced musicianship,” (New York Times) Israeli Cellist Michael Katz has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in venues such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Alice Tully Hall… READ MORE

SIWOO KIM / VIOLIN

Siwoo Kim is an “incisive” and “compelling” (Zachary Woolfe, The New York Times) violinist who plays with “stylistic sensitivity and generous tonal nuance” (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune). Siwoo performs… READ MORE

GIANCARLO LATTA / VIOLIN

Fiercely committed to the music of our time, violinist and composer Giancarlo Latta has premiered dozens of works by composers both young and established. Recent highlights include duo performances with flutist Claire Chase as part of Houston’s Da Camera series… READ MORE

EARL LEE / CONDUCTOR

A dynamic and energetic figure on stage, Canadian musician Earl Lee pursues a diverse career both as a conductor and a cellist. Lee currently holds the RBC Resident Conductor position of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Artistic Director & Conductor position of… READ MORE

CHRISTINE J. LEE / CELLO

Motivated and hungry for new experiences, Korean-born, Philadelphia-made cellist and activist, Christine J. Lee, crosses cultural boundaries through music and aims to connect people around the world. She is the most recent winner of the Isang Yun international… READ MORE

SUNG JIN LEE / VIOLA

Violist Sung Jin Lee was born in South Korea. Her teachers include Michael Tree, Heidi Castleman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Roberto Díaz, and Joseph de Pasquale. Currently a student at the Juilliard School, she has collaborated with many artists, including Gidon Kremer, Steven Isserlis… READ MORE

EVAN RUNYON / BASS

American musician Evan Runyon is a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, songwriter and producer based in Brooklyn. As acoustic and electric bassist he performs with Metropolis Ensemble and L’Histoire ensemble Exceptet; is a founder-director of antiphonal… READ MORE

TERRY SWEENEY / PERCUSSION

Terry Sweeney is an avid chamber musician and collaborator. In addition to Sandbox Percussion, Terry is a member of HOWL, quaquaqua, and The Percussion Collective. As a member of Sandbox, Terry has performed over 150 concerts across the United States… READ MORE

HANNAH TARLEY / VIOLIN

American violinist Hannah Tarley began playing the violin at age two. She is a winner of Astral's 2018 National Auditions, as well as the 3rd Prize winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition. Hannah has soloed with orchestras such as the San Francisco… READ MORE

HENRY WANG / VIOLIN

A native of St. Louis, Henry William Wang has been described by the Washington Post as an artist "that makes the audience cheer lustily". He has won several engagements as soloist with orchestras including the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Alton Symphony… READ MORE