Karnavalito No. 1

Karnavalito No. 1 is inspired by the distinctly Andean concept of mestizaje as championed by Peruvian folklorist José Maria Arguedas (1911-1969) whereby cultures can co-exist without one subjugating another. Allusions to the rhythms and harmonies of the mountain music of my mother’s homeland of Perú abound in this boisterous work, albeit freely transformed in the blender of my personal imagination. About five minutes in length, Karnavalito No. 1 is dense in its virtuosity with sytlistic nods to the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, a music hero of mine.