Sundays at 10:00 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.
Puerto Rican Composer Ernesto Cordero
May 5, 2024, 10:00 pm
Guitarist and composer Ernesto Cordero was born in New York in 1946. He studied in Puerto Rico, Spain, Italy and the US. And he has become one of the most important voices among Puerto Rican composers. We will feature his vocal and orchestral work Estampas Criollas as well as a guitar concerto.
Alicia de Larrocha
May 12, 2024, 10:00 pm
Fiesta celebrates the legacy of the great Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha. We will share some of Elbio’s favorite recordings of this amazing artist.
Travels to Sepharad
August 17, 2019
Sefarad is the name the Spanish Jews gave to that land, thence their denomination as Sephardic people. Expelled from Spain alongside the Muslims, their culture, and their language, the Ladino, has been preserved in Northern Africa, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands.
Fresh Ink!
August 10, 2019
Classical music in the 20th and 21st century has had a strong presence throughout Latin America. Host, Elbio Barilari shares some of the most interesting and beautiful music to come out of Latin America in the past decade.
Music from Galicia
August 3, 2019
There are many ways of being a Spaniard. One of them is being a gallego (or Galician, in English). That area of Northern Spain has its own language, the gallego, and embraces firmly its ancestral Celtic traditions. After visiting Andalusia, Catalonia and the Basque Country, Fiesta heads toward Galicia.
Paquito D’Rivera Visits Fiesta!
July 27, 2019
The multi Grammy Award winner clarinetist, saxophonist and composer Paquito D’Rivera visits with Fiesta and speaks with Elbio Barilari about his career, his influences, and his classical music repertoire. We will feature a variety of Paquito’s music from his long and illustrious catalog.
Mexican Violin with Guests Alan Snow and Joanne Chang
July 20, 2019
Host, Elbio Barilari sits down with young Chicago violinist Alan Snow and pianist Joanne Chang. They will speak about some of the great composers of the violin from Mexico and they will perform for us in WFMT’s Fay and Daniel Levin Studio!
Fiesta CD Grab Bag
July 13, 2019
We are having a ball trying to keep up with our ever-expanding musical collection as composers and performers around the world joyously overwhelm us with their creations. We’re consistently amazed by their level of talent and artistry, and are thrilled this week to share their music with our listeners.
Great Brazilian Pianists
June 29, 2019
Brazil has always had a strong tradition of great pianists. On this program, Fiesta features some of the most accomplished Brazilian pianists, among them Nelson Freire, Caio Pagano, Arnaldo Estrella and Arthur Moreira Lima.
Baroque Music from Spain and the New World
June 22, 2019
The music written and performed in Spain Latin America during the Colonial period (16th to early 19th centuries) has become more popular in recent years. However, even before those treasures were rediscovered, several composers from those regions showed their interest in exploring the strong connections between Spanish (and European) music from the past and Spanish and Latin American folk music.
Living Latin American Composers
June 15, 2019
Some of the most fascinating living composers working today come from Latin America, composers such as Leo Brouwer, Esteban Benzecry, Miguel del Águila, and Enrico Chapela. Fiesta will review beautiful and harmonic music from the 21st century.
Piazzolla and the Guitar
June 8, 2019
Astor Piazzolla was a composer and a bandoneon player (the tango accordion). However, he loved the guitar, he and was an expert writer for it. Fiesta will share some of these great pieces including the beautiful Double Concerto for Bandoneon and Guitar.
New Music from the Past
June 1, 2019
Musical memory is a strange thing. What is remembered and what is, often times is decided by the particular taste of one era or just by chance. Hidden treasures from the past are being discovered every day. Fiesta shares some of this new music from the past!
Back to Portugal
May 25, 2019
Fiesta pays another visit to the amazing past and present of Portuguese music. Host, Elbio Barilari will share the many hidden musical treasures from this often-overlooked musical country.
Flamenco Soundscapes
May 18, 2019
Flamenco music from Southern Spain has been very influential not just in the music of nationalistic Spanish composers but also inspiring composers from other countries. Fiesta features three Spanish composers influenced by these Flamenco Soundscapes.
Celebrating Camerata Punta del Este
May 11, 2019
Founded in the 1970’s, Camerata Punta del Este is a ground breaking ensemble bridging the gap between classical and popular music. Fiesta’s host, Elbio Barilari will guide us through the fascinating story of these musicians and play some of his favorite recordings.
Leonardo Balada: Composer
May 4, 2019
Leonardo Balada is, for many, the most important living Spanish composer. Fiesta dedicates a whole program to his work and thinking.
A Brazilian Concert
April 27, 2019
Brazil is, and has been, historically, one of the powerhouses of Latin American music. In this program, Fiesta features a completely imaginary concert of Latin American music covering over two centuries of music
The Music of Antonio Lauro
April 20, 2019
Venezuelan Antonio Lauro (1917-1986) is one of most popular Latin American composers for the guitar. Fiesta pays tribute to this Maestro of Venezuelan musical nationalism.
Danzón! The Music of Arturo Márquez
April 13, 2019
Together with José Pablo Moncayo’s “Huapango”, Arturo Marquez’s Danzón No.2 has become another non-official Mexican anthem and has garnered would wide fame. Fiesta will tell the story behind Marquez’s many danzón’s and we’ll feature a chamber work by this amazing composer.
LP Treasures: Louisville Orchestra Recordings
April 6, 2019
This week we dig through our old LPs and find rare and adventurous recordings made by the Louisville Orchestra of Blas Galindo, Joaquín Nin-Culmell, and Roberto Garcia Morillo.
Latin American Composers You SHOULD Know!
March 30, 2019
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Carlos Chávez, and Alberto Ginastera are at the prow of the Latin American music ship. On this episode of Fiesta, we go beyond those giants and feature other Latin American composers that you should know!