Vocal and Instrumental Music
Sextet to Julia De Burgos, Op. 21 (1989)
About this work:
The Sextet to Julia De Burgos, Op. 21, is a piece for for soprano, flute, violin, viola, cello, and piano. It consists of three settings to words by Puerto Rican poetess Julia de Burgos (1914-1953). This is the second work commissioned by The Pablo Casals Museum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The composition was first performed in December 1989 at the museum.
After his first commission, Robert Avalon was introduced to the works of Julia de Burgos and was inspired by the poetry's sensuous and passionate imagery: "At that time, 1989, there were no complete collections of [Julia De Burgos's] work, even though her greatness was indisputable and considerable time had passed since her death. From the isolated poems available, I chose three contrasting poems. "El mar y hi" is the expression of a woman lying on her back in the sand, legs open to the sea, toes curling in the sand, making love to the water and the air. I consider the second poem, "Canción amarga",to be one of the most poignant expressions of desperation in any language. I open the movement with a cello solo as isolated as was Julia de Burgos in her agonizing ecstasy and her unfulfilled obsession with love. The work concludes with the joy, sarcasm, and optimism of "Ay, ay, ay de la grifa negra". It is a dance of ecstatic black pride, veiled anger, and hope for a future mixed race."
Download the complete score of the Sextet to Julia De Burgos, Op. 21. For parts, please contact the Woodson Research Center by completing this request form.
Takai Sora Ni, Op. 15 (1988)
About this work:
Takai Sora Ni, Op. 15 is a duet for flute and soprano. The work was commissioned by flutist Megan Meisenbach and soprano Janis DeLara. It was first performed in San Antonio, Texas in June 1988.
Download the complete score of Takai Sora Ni, Op. 15. For parts, please contact the Woodson Research Center by completing this request form.
Doblaron en el viento (1988)
About this work:
Doblaron en el viento is another song for high voice set to the Spanish poetry of Isabel Fraire. In the recording, an English translation of the poem is recited and then the performance of the work. The composition was first performed in San Antonio, Texas in March 1988.
Download the complete score of Doblaron en el viento, 1988. For parts, please contact the Woodson Research Center by completing this request form.
Songs to Pushkin, Op. 5 (1984)
About this work:
Songs to Pushkin, Op. 5 is a song cycle based on the poetry of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The composer selected four poems to set to music, which are listed below. The work was commissioned by the Incarnate Word University in San Antonio, Texas, and the San Antonio Arts Council. The songs were premiered by Deborah Bussineau at Incarnate Word University in 1984.
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For parts or additional copies of the scores, please contact the Woodson Research Center by completing this request form.