| Venezolana
for 5 Pedal Harps (or Harp Ensemble) Alfredo Rolando Ortiz |
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In 1991, Dominique Piana, Professor of Harp at the University of Redlands, California, asked me if I would compose a piece for the Inland Empire Harp Ensemble, to premier at the American Harp Society Conference, in San Diego, California in 1992. Mrs. Piana was Program Chairperson of the Conference and Director of the Ensemble. After thinking about it only a few minutes (obviously not knowing what I was really getting into) I said "Yes!"Venezolana for 5 Pedal Harps
(Or Harp Ensemble)
To my friend Phia Berghout
Alfredo Rolando Ortiz
In 1991, Dominique Piana, Professor of Harp at the University of Redlands, California, asked me if I would compose a piece for the Inland Empire Harp Ensemble, to premier at the American Harp Society Conference, in San Diego, California in 1992. Mrs. Piana was Program Chairperson of the Conference and Director of the Ensemble. After thinking about it only a few minutes (obviously not knowing what I was really getting into) I said "Yes!"
Deciding that it had to be a piece that would have the character of one of our traditional Latin American harp styles, I soon envisioned a Venezuelan style based on a traditional harp genre called "tonada."
I also thought that this would be a great opportunity to express my thanks to my friend, Phia Berghout. She loved our traditional harp music and gave me marvelous opportunities to perform and teach at the Harpweek, in Holland, in 1979 and 1980. She also invited me to perform my own compositions, in traditional Latin American styles, at the Opening Concert of the First World Harp Congress, in Holland in 1983, where I also was invited to teach and lecture. Phia was very excited when I told her about the piece dedicated to her, and specially in a style which she loved so much.
The Premiere of "Venezolana for 5 Pedal Harps" took place on Friday, June 26th, 1992, at Shiley Theater, University of San Diego, California. The harpists were: Celia Chan, Marilyn Davidian, Elizabeth Holm, Laura Joseph and Missy Torrey, under the direction of Dominique Piana. Phia enjoyed very much our telephone conversations about "her music," loving all the anecdotes about the rehearsals and the premiere. Sadly, she passed away in 1993 never having the opportunity to enjoy a life performance of this composition.
About the music:
The ostinatos, repetitive patterns and syncopations, are typical of the "tonada," a popular harp music genre from the plains of Venezuela. Using the pedals for unique sonorities and one modulation, I tried to preserve the feeling of the traditional while creating new textures and musical landscapes. Finally, a very slow fade ... the music never ends.
To Phia Berghout
14 December 1909 - 22 March 1993
Dear friend
Marvelous performer and teacher
Founder and Director of the Harpweek, The Netherlands
Founder of the World Harp Congress
"She stretched our horizons and brought us together from all parts of the world"
(From the poem "To Live in Her Time," dedicated to Phia by her dear friend, Dean Sherman)
My wife, Luz Marina, and I, will always remember her support for my music and ideas, her magical presence, her warm smile and, especially, her love for us all. Dear Phia, you will always be in my music.
| Title: | Venezolana |
| Composer: | Dr Alfredo Rolando Ortiz |
| Contents: | Single work |
| Instrumentation: | 5 Pedal Harps (or harp ensemble) |
| Level: | Intermediate to Advanced Level |
| Format: | US letter score & set of five parts |
| ISBN: | -- |
| Publisher: | Aroy Music |
| Edition/Year: | 1991 |
| Origin: | USA |
| Our Ref: | UM1025 |
