About this work:
Premiere performance by Andrés Díaz and Judith Gordon.
Canções e Sambinhas is the third of a triptych of compositions written for my friend, the enormously gifted cellist, Andrés Díaz. The first was Eurydice, a "tone poem" on the Orpheus myth for cello and orchestra, and the second was La Chimera Fantastica for the Díaz Trio.
Canções e Sambinhas is in four movements.
I. Canção de amor ...
II. Sambinha bachiana ...
III. Valsa lenta ...
IV. Mais uma vêz ...
Having lived in Brazil during my teen-age years, I inevitably continue to return to the wonderful music of that country for inspiration: the chôros of Ernesto Nazareth, Jacob do Bandolim, Pixinginha, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. The first movement begins with a slow, dark introduction before the "love song" emerges .... The second movement is a lively samba. As the title indicates, it is a little samba infused with Bach-like counterpoint, although a bit crazier. Villa-Lobos might find this amusing .... The third movement is a slow meditation for the cello on a passacaglia-like theme in the piano. The last movement, "Mais uma vêz" (meaning "One Mo' Time" in English), is a samba like the second movement, but it is set more homophonically, more dance-like in character ....
The work is dedicated to my wife, Kris, who is an inspiration to my life and work.