Prologue to the concert program "Musicians from the North"

Madrid, Casa de América, March 24, 2003


A house called "de América," located at the geographic and strategic heart of a major Spanish and thus European capital, must naturally have among its primary objectives the strengthening of all kinds of cultural ties between the two continents, serving as a bridge toward a better and more reciprocal mutual understanding.
Somewhat incomprehensibly -and even for those of us who move in professional circles and are therefore supposed to have a more specialized perspective- American music currently does not enjoy the recognition and dissemination it deserves. This situation, applicable even to the works of the most prominent composers, becomes particularly concerning in the case of younger generations, whose representatives are virtually unknown to us.
While, for obvious reasons of linguistic kinship, it has so far been easier to approach composers from Mexico, Central, and South America -let us remember that we even consider as American those of our composers who were exiled due to the consequences of the Spanish Civil War-, the same cannot be said for the other North Americans, whether from the United States or Canada.
The inclusion in this concert of a selection of works, some very recent, by composers who are mostly still young and hail from Canada, the United States, and Mexico makes this event of special interest to music enthusiasts in general. This interest is further heightened by the diverse timbral approaches in the program, which features traditional ensembles such as the string quartet or violin duo, alongside a notable presence of chamber works with the harpsichord -an instrument far from relegated to being a museum piece, as evidenced by the fascination its unique timbral qualities have sparked among composers in recent decades.
In summary: those of us attending this concert are in for a treat.
We are about to take part in a modest celebration in terms of scale -like all events centered on chamber music-, but one that is grand and significant in terms of quality. Let us prepare to enjoy it as it deserves: with open ears and an alert mind.