Listening to an interview with Marin Alsop, the maestra of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, made me want to re-locate to Santa Cruz for two weeks each August. For 47 years, this is a festival that is showcasing new music for orchestra.
During he interview, Alsop mentioned a number of works that are being performed during this event and that she believes that “humor is an important part of the creative process.”
One piece, ínguesu by composer Enrico Chapela, enjoys its West Coast premiere at Cabrillo and illustrates the fun one can have with an orchestra. It is based upon the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup soccer match between Mexico and Brazil. Alsop will pass out penalty cards during the performance to various musicians.
There is a lightness to such an approach. Proving that today’s orchestral composers can, along with their creativity, add some humor and passion to the compositions. That music–no matter how many instruments–can speak to an audience.
And bring a smile.

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