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.
Great Brazilian Pianists
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Leonardo Balada is, for many, the most important living Spanish composer. Fiesta dedicates a whole program to his work and thinking.
A Brazilian Concert
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
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
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
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!
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!
Music from Haiti
Colonized by France, and the first country in Latin American to win its independence, Haiti is often neglected or forgotten in the context of the Latin American culture. However, it has a strong musical tradition. Fiesta will bring to the audience some of its most important composers.
Great Latin American Guitar Composers
Guitar music is one of the strengths of the Latin American repertoire.
Memories from Sefarad
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, have been preserved in Northern Africa, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands.
Two-Hundred Years of Solitude
Social struggle and conflict have punctuated the history of Latin America. Art has always been a reflection of a society and music can be one of the most powerful. On this program, Elbio Barilari presents musical works linked to society and human landscapes.
Highlights from the 13th Chicago Latino Music Festival
The Chicago Latino Music Festival is the biggest classical music festival of its kind in the US. Featuring fantastic performers and a repertoire that goes from the Colonial period to the present. The 13th edition of this festival had a focus on the guitar and featured players Eduardo Fernandez, Fareed Haque, and Ivan Resendiz.
Teresa Carreño, Composer
Born in Venezuela in 1853, Teresa Carreño was one the first Latin American women with an international career as a pianist, composer and teacher. Fiesta looks into the life and music of this piano virtuoso nicknamed the “Valkyrie of the Piano.”
