Latinos in America

'There are concerts that make you realise what you've been missing... The first half of Thursday's Lontano concert at St John's, Smith Square, provided the answer.'

The Independent

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The LFAM kicks off with a vibrant celebration of the USA’s new generation of rich Latin American voices. Whilst Latinx classical music has maintained a sustained presence on the American music scene since the Pan-Americanist boom of the 1930s/40s, it is now entering a new, exciting era of remarkable flowering, bringing new perspectives and influences that reflect the USA’s evolving demographics.

 

Latinos in America showcases this exciting resurgence through the lens of six leading composers from the Latin diaspora, of Puerto-Rican, Cuban and Mexican heritage. Reflecting the extraordinary diversity of the Latin world, this eclectic programme draws on their respective ancestral musical languages, crossing borders and genres to explore issues of identity, migration and memory. Interweaving infectious Latin rhythms, colours, textures, mythologies and ancient traditions, they convey a vivid portrait of the Latino experience in America today. As they help to reshape the sound of classical music in America they offer a glimpse of where American classical music is heading. An exhilarating opening to five days celebrating the extraordinary diversity of American music!

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Programme​

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Johanny Navarro Belen*

Odaline de la Martínez Memorias
Ivan Enrique Rodríguez Transmutación inerte*

Luis Quintana Midnight Rumba* 

Jorge Andrés Ballesteros Coyolxauhqui*
Sonia Morales Divertimento caribeño No. 7* 

 

*UK Premiere

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Artists​

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Lontano

Tianhui Ng conductor

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Since its foundation in 1976, Lontano has been recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting and versatile exponents of twentieth and twenty-first century music. Lontano’s work includes themed seasons in London, opera and music theatre productions, concerts and tours throughout the UK and abroad, and regular recordings on its own LORELT label, as well as workshops and educational projects. Lontano also records for numerous other companies including Albany Records, Summit (USA), Da Capo (Denmark), Metier Records and Retrospect Opera (UK). The ensemble is internationally renowned, and its tours have taken it to many countries in Europe as well as both North and South America. The ensemble began their biennial London Festival of American music in 2006.

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Singapore-born, award-winning orchestral conductor, opera director, and music professor — Tianhui Ng is celebrated for his passionate advocacy of contemporary classical music and intercultural artistic dialogue. He is Music Director of the New England Philharmonic (since 2022) and Pioneer Valley Symphony (since 2018), and Artistic Director of White Snake Projects and The Victory Players. A champion of new music, he has led over 60 world premieres.​​