I'm a Cuban-American composer who returned to composing music at age 66. I began writing music in college in late 1960's, I put music aside to make a living and just restarted in 2009, after I retired. I've been working with Ivan Trevino at the Hochstein School of Music since 2010. Ivan is an Eastman School of Music graduate in percussion and member of the band, Break of Reality. Their repertoire is New Music/Rock Band. My discovery of New Music, in depth began several years ago when I saw the documentary, "Glass: A Portrait of Phil Glass in 12 Parts" for the first time. I became fascinated with the man and his music and I revisit that documentary regularly. From that time, and especially working with Ivan Trevino, my awareness of the New Music genre has grown exponentially. My portfolio has grown just as fast and keeps growing.
My early efforts were in the mid-century Modern genre; very cerebral and atonal. When I began in 2009, my first effort was a dance suite based on four Cuban dance forms from the 19th century and into the mid-50's. The twist was that I put the innocent creatures through Arnold Schoenberg's grinder; strict serialism. I dotted every I and crossed every T. If any serialists survived they would at least be impressed with my thoroughness. In spite of such academic rigor I managed to make them sound Cuban and Schoenberg-ian.
They will make their way to CD Baby for your entertainment in the next few days. Along with my most recent New Music and in-the-works projects.
Read more...