Cumba-Quín in Costa Rica!

31 Mar Cumba-Quín in Costa Rica!

Going back to a country I lived in over thirty years ago was perhaps one of the more powerful experiences I’ve had in my life. Costa Rica was and still remains gorgeous, enchanting, and intriguing to me.

I was invited by the extremely talented Cuarteto de Guitarras de Costa Rica to work with them as they prepared to go into the recording studio to record Cumba-Quín.

One night, after working with the Cuarteto, we “crashed” a rehearsal of the Orquesta Sinfonia de Heredia. Witnessing the amazing work of this orchestra, under the direction of Composer, Maestro Eddie Mora, was a definite highlight. They are doing things like no other orchestra I’ve seen. From the pre-concert experience, through programming and performance, they will undoubtedly take the world stage by storm.

While there, one of the members, Nicolas Alvarado, invited me to do a lecture and masterclass on composition at the University of Costa Rica, where I was able to meet composers Carlos Jose Castro Mora, and Edin Solis, each well established and extremely talented. It was a true blast to lecture in Spanish (which has gotten a bit rusty for me), and work with the students at the University.

It was also a dream to track with them in the studio. This being the second time I am actually in the room while a group records one of my works. Last year I was able to do so with the Cavatina Duo and it was fantastic. It’s always tiring due to the high level of concentration to get the “right” moment recorded.

 

Then there were also my childhood friends. I was able to make time to see them, after thirty years!

Looking forward to the Quarteto de Guitarras de Costa Rica’s recording release next year, and hopefully returning sooner than later to a country that greeted me so well after so long…