Program Notes:

When I first heard soprano Monica Garcia’s singing, I was determined to compose a new work for her. Simultaneously, I was bothered by the decrease of music written for the Bassoon during the 20th century and it was important for me to make my small contribution by writing a Bassoon Concerto. Somehow, these two intentions met together in “The Spanish Songs.” While looking for poems, I had in mind few criterion such as specific subject, mood, and length. It was also important that one of the poems will start as a question. After eight months of searching, I found Antonio Machado’s poems. The score calls for soprano and bassoon, two clarinets, harp, celesta, percussion and strings. Poems and specific performers help the composer decide on that musical direction or another. Here, I decided to take a more traditional path, adding my view of Spanish music.