Anna Maria Mendieta & Tango Del Cielo

Performing Artist And Touring Concert-Show Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA United States

About Anna Maria Mendieta & Tango Del Cielo

Harpist Anna Maria Mendieta performs Classical to Tango as a soloist, with orchestras, and with her touring ensembles including: "Tango Del Cielo" (Tango From Heaven) - A multimedia concert! ...

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ANNA MARIA & TANGO DEL CIELO "Another Success for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra" Publication: Ticket Central Alexandria, Louisiana By Jackson Harmeyer The Rapides Symphony Orchestra scored another win this Sunday with Tango del Cielo! Sunday’s concert was both special and different. From the very moment I walked into Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, I knew something looked different. It hit me, the curtains were down, and I could not see the musicians as they rehearsed as I am used to at orchestral concerts. This, however, was only the first indication of what was to come as the production itself would feature dancers, a painted backdrop, and a full multimedia presentation. Maestro Zona even donned a stylish fedora and suspenders to go along with the tango theme. None of this would have mattered much though if the music itself had not been engaging. And, engaging it was! In front of the familiar string players, there sat Anna Maria Mendieta on harp surrounded by her travelling teammates – violinist Thomas Yee, cellist Joseph Hébert, and percussionist Antonio Gomez. With splendid orchestral backing, this foursome of soloists – veritable chamber group – played brilliant music full of tango rhythms and other colorful Spanish and Latin American elements. Sunday’s concert held many highlights for me. In Act I, the orchestral arrangement of Leyenda de Asturias by Isaac Albéniz was as pulsing and as powerful as the more familiar version for guitar, but here its excitement was amplified by the colorful interchanges between the various instruments. Later, the familiar Bordel-1900 from Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango – originally for flute and guitar – shone with similar brilliance in its orchestral arrangement. In the Second Act, percussionist Gomez and cellist Hébert played solos of their own invention which were full of intensity too. And, everything ended on an exciting note with the famous Malagueña in an arrangement by Mendieta herself. I was also overjoyed to learn that the Rapides Symphony Orchestra provided two opportunities for educational outreach while the Tango del Cielo troupe was in town. Saturday, Anna Maria Mendieta led a masterclass with local dance studios all about the tango and flamenco dance idioms. And, on Monday, the Tango troupe and orchestra staged an additional performance of the concert for local public schools. I think music should be a vital part of every child’s education, and that it is essential to introduce classical music to children – an age when people’s minds are still so open to new things. The music lectures I myself have given, I know, have been rewarding as I have watched students’ eyes light-up when they hear music that is unexpectedly familiar. I am thrilled to see the Rapides Symphony Orchestra devoting their time to these educational efforts! Until next time, hope you listen to some great music! – Jackson Harmeyer

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