Saturdays at 7:00 pm
Explore the diverse traditions of Latin American and Iberian music.
Fiesta is a weekly classical music program devoted to Latin American and Iberian music from the 16th to 21st century, and brings artistically and historically significant compositions and artists to its listeners. Acclaimed composer, musician, and professor Elbio Barilari is your guide on this adventure through a rich musical landscape. We invite you to enjoy and learn about the lively, compelling, and rarely-heard treasures of Latino classical music from around the world. Interviews with composers, conductors, and musicians enrich the music. Previous guests on Fiesta have included Eduardo Fernández, Carlos Kalmar, Piotr Nawrot, and José Serebrier.
The player below includes a continuous three hour loop of the most recent Fiesta episodes to be joined in progress.
Martha Argerich: Argentine Piano Master
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
New Compositions by Leo Brouwer
Now in his 80s, Cuban composer Leo Brouwer continues his work as one of the top living composers in the world. Fiesta presents some of his latest works including The Book of Signs and his Bandurria Sonata.
September 11th Remembered by Latino Composers
It has been said that the 20th century did not start until 1914 with World War I. The 21st century started on September 11th of 2001. Fiesta will feature Latin American works that reflect on this day that changed our perception of the world in which we live.
The Latin American Express
Join host, Elbio Barilari as he takes you on a musical tour of Latin America.
Latin American Art Songs
Fiesta explores the world of Latin American art songs on out next program. We will feature vocal music accompanied by strings, piano, guitar, and orchestra.
Venezuelan Composer Paul Desenne
Paul Desenne’s tricultural vantage point on today’s musical world blends anthropological accuracy, conceptual diversity and musical abstraction in a vast body of work. His music is passionate, often features elaborate constructions in rhythmic counterpoint, and explores the many avenues of Latin American concert-music.
