Changed, Unchanged, a Puerto Rican on the Mainland

Han Chen talks with Iván Enrique Rodriguez about his music focused on human experiences, social justice, and activism, and imbued with his Puerto Rican musical heritage.

Iván was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in the Bay Area, while he is completing Doctoral studies at the Juilliard School. Rodriguez’s music focuses on human experiences, social justice, and activism, and is imbued with his Puerto Rican musical heritage.

During the interview, Rodriguez details the shock he felt when arriving in the United States, the intertwining of colonialism and classical music, and the changes he’s felt in himself since leaving home. He also discusses how all of these experiences drive his ongoing piano suite, Epistles, which is a series of works inspired by the many emotions he’s felt throughout his journey from home.

Before the interview, Han Chen performs two movements from Epistles, “Anger” and “Nostalgia,” which chronicle the emotions Rodriguez felt when first living in New York. Performance recorded on October 7, 2022 at Klavierhaus NYC.