Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys and electronics as well as chamber ensembles and orchestras. Her music has been described as “wistfully idiosyncratic and contemplative” (WQXR/Q2) and “mesmerizing and affecting” (Feast of Music) while The New York Times noted her “capacity to surprise” and her “quirky approach to scoring”.
The composer on her own piece:Dust is inspired by the piece Devastation No More composed by my 11- year-old composition student Mondriana Villegas. This is the moment right after the disaster. There’s a deep sense of sorrow and desolation but also an inexplicable tranquility and a slight sense of hope. It’s clearly the end of something but also the possibility of starting something new.
The conductor on Dust: I first discovered Angelica’s music through her work with the MATA festival in New York. I loved the playful energy and vibrant spirit of her works. Dust is a spacious work and with that spaciousness she brings an attention to texture and detail that is intense and almost frightening. From the sound of the piece, I suspect the "dust “ of the title is dust settling after a disastrous event, or perhaps an event that is more personal, yet no less devastating. The piece is not heart-breaking, rather it is the heart already broken and feeling out what to do with the memories.
AFTER EVERYTHING PRESENTS
S T R O N G H O L D A SELECTION OF WORKS BY
ANTON BRUCKNER Mass no 2 in E Minor, Kyrie
ANGELICA NEGRON Dust
PREBEN ANTONSEN Voices from the Nettle-Path
REZA VALI Folk Songs from Set 15
JULIA WOLFE Stronghold
8pm Saturday, February 24, 2018 U N I T Y C H U R C H O F S A N F R A N C I S C O
