Sundays at 8:00 pm
Exploring the diverse traditions of Latin American and Iberian music
Devoted to showcasing Latin American and Iberian music from the 16th century to today, Fiesta brings creatively and historically significant compositions and artists to audiences. Acclaimed composer, musician, and professor Elbio Barilari is your guide on this adventure through a rich musical landscape. Enjoy and learn about the lively, compelling, and seldom-heard treasures of Latin American and Spanish classical music from around the world.
Cuban Composer Julián Orbón
October 4, 2026, 8:00 pm
Born in Spain, Julián Orbón lived and composed in Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States of America. Aaron Copland referred to Orbón as “Cuba’s most gifted composer of his generation.” We will share some of his most beloved music including his Preludio and Danza for guitar.
Sonic Chemistry
October 11, 2026, 8:00 pm
Fiesta’s host Elbio Barilari picks a series of pieces with a particular sonic chemistry, including music by Cuban Paquito D’Rivera, Brazilians Radames Gnattalli and Heitor Villa-Lobos and Mexican Federico Ibarra.
Paquito D’Rivera
February 5, 2022
This Cuban‐American clarinet and saxophone player, winner of 12 Grammys, is also a very exciting composer of chamber and orchestra music. Join us for this program on Paquito D’Rivera’s compositions, including his gorgeous orchestral piece “The Elephant and the Clown” and his “Saxophone Quartet”.
Rhythms of South America
January 29, 2022
Fiesta explores the many rhythms and beats of South America.
String Quartets of Latin America
January 22, 2022
This program showcases music for string quartet in different combinations and forms. We will highlight some of Latin America’s most important and influential composers. Enjoy the vitality and beauty of these rarely heard Latin American quartet string music.
Four Latin American Composers We Need to Know Better
January 15, 2022
Host Elbio Barilari shares music of four composers we all need to know better: the Argentine Constantino Gaito, Chilean Luis Saglie, Mexican Jose Elizondo and Cuban Joaquin Nin. Four composers, who will stay with you after you hear their beautiful and energetic music.
Tania León, Cuban-American Composer
January 8, 2022
Tania León has a very diverse background, born in Cuba; she has French, Spanish, Chinese and African ancestors. León has lived in the US since 1967 and has become one of the foremost living American composers whose always finds a way to reflect her Cuban musical roots.
Martha Argerich: Argentine Piano Master
January 1, 2022
One of the greatest living pianists, Martha Argerich’s career has brought her from Argentina to around the world. Fiesta pays tribute to this piano master with highlights from her long and fruitful career, including performances of the giants of Latin American classical music.
Latin American Christmas Carols
December 25, 2021
A selection of villancicos, Christmas carols from Spain and Latin America, is featured on this Christmas-themed program from Fiesta. Join us for music that spans several centuries and a great diversity of influences and traditions.
The Great Sounds of Roberto Sierra
December 18, 2021
Puerto Rican, Roberto Sierra is one of the most important living composers of contemporary classical music. Sierra’s work draws from the 20th century avant-garde music and the 19th century romantic traditions alike and synthesized his European and Latino influences.
Latin American Saxophone
December 11, 2021
Though it is not the most prominent instrument in classical music, the saxophone is versatile and powerful. And many Latin American composers have shown their love for this instrument, including Heitor Villa-Lobos, Paquito D’Rivera, and Roberto Sierra.
Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México
December 4, 2021
Founded by conductor Enrique Bátiz in 1971 the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México or the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico is one of the most important orchestras in the world.
The Orchestral World of Astor Piazzolla
November 27, 2021
Astor Piazzolla is world-famous for revolutionizing the field of nuevo tango, where he integrated jazz and classical elements into the traditional tango form. But he also composed many purely classical works, which we will share in this program.
Fresh Ink 2021
November 20, 2021
Classical music has had a strong presence throughout Latin Americain the 20th and 21st centuries. Host Elbio Barilari shares some of the most interesting and beautiful music to come out of Latin America in the past decade, including Esteban Benzecry’s Clarinet Concerto and Gabriella Ortiz’s Estudios entre preludios.
Latin American Chamber Festival
November 13, 2021
Host Elbio Barilari creates the perfect Latin American Chamber Festival just for you. We will hear some of his favorite chamber works including Mexican Carlos Chavez’s Madrigal and Brazilian Breno Brauth’s Violin Sonata.
Día de los Muertos-Day of the Dead
November 6, 2021
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has inspired music in the Latin America culture throughout history. Often confused with Halloween in America, the Day of the Dead is about honoring and paying tribute to one’s ancestors. On this episode of Fiesta, we will explore music that celebrates the many facets of this holiday.
Fiesta of the Guitar
October 30, 2021
This week, Elbio invites you to a Fiesta of the Guitar, celebrating a wide range of Latin-American guitar music. We explore the thriving crossover of classical style and popular folk and cultural themes, an intersection which has a rich history and continuing tradition of innovative guitar music.
Orchestral Music of Camargo Guarnieri
October 23, 2021
We explore the wide range of orchestral sounds of 20th-century Brazilian composer Camargo Guarnieri, including his Piano Concerto No. 3 and his Symphony No. 6.
The Eclectic Collective
October 16, 2021
Latin American classical music has taken on many different forms and incorporates many different styles. On this program Fiesta, host Elbio Barilari will pick music reflecting the many eclectic styles of classical music that have come out of Latin America. Including music by the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, Brazilian composer Dorival Caymmi, and Mexican composer Melesio Morales.
Villa-Lobos: Folk Traveler
October 9, 2021
Host Elbio Barilari takes you on a journey through Brazil with the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos. Early in his life, Villa-Lobos traveled the Brazilian countryside learning folk songs that he would eventually incorporate into his symphonic works. Included in this program is his famous Brazilian Folk Suite.
Island Hopping: A Musical Getaway to the Canary Islands and the Caribbean
October 2, 2021
Host, Elbio Barilari takes you on a musical trip to the many islands in Latin America and Spain. Featuring some of his favorite composers, we will visit the Canary Islands, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Haiti.
Alejandro García Caturla: The Best-Kept Secret in Latin American Music
September 25, 2021
During his short life Alejandro García Caturla (1906‐1940) was both a musician and judge. He built an amazing and forward-looking musical catalog combining the Afro‐Cuban traditions and European classical techniques. Largely unknown outside Cuba until recent times, new recordings have sparked the interest for the music of this “secret” genius.