Exploring the Cuban Pianist-Composer Tradition

Maestro Sérgio Assad

In a fun and improvisatory conversation,  Sérgio Assad, one of the world’s most celebrated guitarists and composers of the last 40 years, reveals how Chopin and Ravel inspired him to compose for guitar, how his amazing family came to be the towering figures in the music world they are today, how Villa Lobos and Carlos Gomes figure into the tapestry of Brazilian art music, what a “Choro” is, and more. This episode explores music that will be performed at the Festival on July 21st “Sergio Assad and his World”, featuring Sergio’s close friend and colleague, Bay Area guitarist Marc Teicholz.

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Teresa Carreño

In this episode Venezuelan composer, scholar and pianist Mariantonia Palacios talks about the life and times of the great 19th-century pianist, composer, singer and conductor, Teresa Carreño. Learn about her music and her influences in an engaging conversation with Festival Artistic Director, Tanya Tomkins.

Yavet Boyadjiev on José White

Cuban violinist and scholar, Yavet Boyadjiev joins Tanya Tomkins for an in-depth conversation about 19th-century Cuban composer and violinist, José White, whose music will be featured on VMMF’s opening concert of the 2024 season, “José White and his Circle”. Yavet tells the story of her personal connection to White, talks about his journey from Cuba to Europe and about his great success there. Learn about why we don’t hear more of White’s music today. Hear selections from White’s violin concerto and Études for violin, as well as music from Cuba, the United States and Europe that he admired.

Exploring the Cuban Pianist-Composer Tradition

Join Tanya Tomkins in conversation with the brilliant Cuban pianist and composer, Latin Grammy-nominated Adonis Gonzalez. Adonis speaks about his musical journey, how he started the piano and why so many good musicians come from Cuba. Listen as Adonis performs some of his own compositions, improvisations and arrangements, as well as a range of composers including Rachmaninoff, Cervantes and his version of Lecuona’s popular La Comparsa.

Who is Pedro Ximenez?

The first-ever episode of the VMMF Podcast features a conversation between VMMF Artistic Director Tanya Tomkins and Bolivian musicologist and violinist Karin Cuéllar Rendón. The two discuss Peruvian composer Pedro Ximenez Abrill Tirado (1784-1856), once known far and wide as the “Rossini of the Americas,” whose music will be presented on the Festival’s 10th Anniversary Season this summer. Rendón, a Ximenez expert, explains why Ximenez was so famous in his day, and why he’s rarely performed now. She’ll also offer insight into how she has reawakened interest in this important composer. And a bonus: we get to hear about why Europeans visiting Latin America in the 19th century often tripped over their own feet while waltzing…