Alegre is a Spanish word meaning “joyful.” Utilizing the style of a Latin groove, the piece is a showcase for rhythmic dexterity. It also demonstrates the inextricable link in Latin American cultures between music and dance. Tania León incorporates the stylistic elements of ostinati with off-beat accents and improvisation to create a brilliant piece that excites both mind and body.

Instrumentation

1-Conductor
3-Flute 1
3-Flute 2
2-Oboe (optional)
5-B flat clarinet 1
5-B flat clarinet 2
4-E flat alto saxophone
2-B flat tenor saxophone
4-B flat trumpet 1
4-B flat trumpet 2
4-Trombone
2-Baritone B.C.
2-Baritone T.C.
4-Tuba
1-String Bass
2-Percussion 1: 2 bongos
2-Percussion 2: 4 tom toms
2-Percussion 3: Medium maracas
2-Percussion 4: bass drum
1-Piano

Meet The Composer

Tania León (b. Havana, Cuba), a vital personality on today’s music scene and in demand as a composer and conductor, has been recognized for her significant accomplishments as an educator and advisor to arts organizations.

In 1998 she was awarded the New York Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has received Honorary Doctorates from Colgate University and Oberlin College and awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, NYSCA, Lila Wallace/Reader’s Digest Fund, ASCAP and Koussevitzky Foundation, among others. In 1998 she held the Fromm Residency at the American Academy in Rome.

León was a founding member and first Music Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem establishing their Music Department, Music School and Orchestra. She instituted the Brooklyn Philharmonic Community Concert Series in 1978 and in 1994 co-founded the American Composers Orchestra Sonidos de las Americas Festivals as Latin American Music Advisor. From 1993 to 1997 she was New Music Advisor to Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic.

Tania León has been the subject of profiles on ABC, CBS, CNN, PBS, Univision and independent films.

León was Visiting Lecturer at Harvard University, Visiting Professor at Yale University and the Musikschule in Hamburg. In 2000 she was named the Tow Distinguished Professor at Brooklyn College, where she has taught since 1985.

About The Premiere

Alegre was premiered in 2003.

Listen/Watch