Media | ivonneparedes

Media:

- Recordings & Video -

Espacio

- Arr. for Trombone & Electronics -

Espacio (Space) is a piece that Ivonne Paredes wrote in the summer of 2013. Paredes wanted this piece to embody the feeling of space, and the loneliness that comes with living in a vast universe. Samples used in Espacio include sounds of the electromagnetic waves of various planets as recorded by NASA.

Performance on May 11th, 2014 at Whitman Theater, Brooklyn, NY.

David Whitwell - Trombone

Matthew Gantt - Sampler

Primeros Pasos

- For Jazz Orchestra -

Primeros Pasos (First Steps) combines the unique rhythms of Festejo and the sophisticated harmonic language of Jazz.

The rhythms of Festejo are based on polyrhythms - the three-against-two feel - and accents that fall on the first downbeat and then on upbeats. There are different permutations of the basic rhythms of Festejo throughout the piece, combined with extended chords - sevenths, ninths, and elevenths - that change in every section.

There are four well-defined sections in Primeros Pasos. The intro is slow and canonic, which represents the struggle that comes when we first try to walk. Dragging ourselves on the floor, falling down multiple times, and trying again and again until we can finally stand up and walk. The second section is upbeat and it represents the actual walking. The melodies in this section are inspired by Festejo standards that Paredes used to listen to when she was a little girl. The third section is more playful; we are running, jumping, and playing around in this one. There are more chord changes and broken-down melodies in this section than in others to represent playfulness. The last section after the climax takes us back to the second section when we were walking with some variations. The end is a reminder of when we started, and to not forget how far we have come.

This piece is dedicated to Ivonne Paredes's niece Zoe, who is learning how to walk.

Performance on February 15th, 2014 by Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in Symphony Space, New York. Featuring Freddy "Huevito" Lobaton on Cajón.

Dúo Para Cajón

- For Two Cajons -

Dúo Para Cajón is inspired by Steve Reich's percussion music, which Paredes always find very enjoyable to play. In this piece, Reich's methods of repetition and sequence have been infused with a dash of Peruvian flavor.

Performance on May 15, 2013 in Studio 312 at Brooklyn College, New York.

Alexis Smith & Ivonne Paredes - Cajón

Oye

- For Mallet Trio -

Oye (Listen) is a composition inspired by Peruvian singer-songwriter Eva Ayllón. Called "The Queen of Landó," Ayllón has a long history as a Festejo and Landó musician which are two popular styles of Peruvian music derived from African and indigenous Peruvian music. Paredes always loved her music and the way she delivers it, she has such a passionate presence and penetrating voice. This is a tribute to her music, her legacy, and to Peruvian music in general.

This piece was initially for brass trio, then arranged for percussion.

Performed on December 10, 2012 in Studio 312 at Brooklyn College, New York.

Paula Battista - Xylophone

Gerard Sullivan & Ivonne Paredes - Marimba

Festejo

- For Jazz Combo -

Festejo combines the indigenous dance, instrumentation and ritual of native Peru with African music and dance. The origins of the upbeat, Afro-Peruvian sound that make up Festejo can be traced to the celebration of Peru's independence from Spain and the emancipation of slaves first brought to the country in the 1500's.

Guitar, bass, cajon and quijada (jawbone) make up a traditional Festejo band. Lyrically, festejo songs focus on the themes of love, courtship, or as the name of the genre suggests, festivities. A vocalist is included in many Festejo standards, but Paredes has replaced the vocals with flute for this piece. Accompanying the Festejo sounds are jovial dances that also reflect the music's name.

Peru is diverse country, and its music reflects that diversity. This piece is her way of paying homage to her Peruvian roots.

Performed on May 14, 2012 in Studio 312 at Brooklyn College, New York.

Sarah Kuzma - Flute

Eric Braunstein - Trumpet

David Whitwell - Trombone

Patrick O'Reilly - Cajón

Laura Vuksinich - Claves

Paula Battista - Quijada

Matthew Gantt - Electric Guitar

Andrey Rengevich - Electric Bass

Hyun Sung Nam - Piano

Elevación

- For Piano -

Elevación (Elevation) was written inspired by Claude Debussy's piano works and the playing of Emily Esposito.

Performed on March 31, 2010 in Tiedtke concert hall at Rollins College. Winter Park, FL.

Emily Esposito - Piano

Cuerdas de un Pueblo Muy Lejano

- For Cello & Electronics -

Cuerdas de un Pueblo Muy Lejano (Strings from a Town Far Away) is based on a Huayno melody that goes through different transformations. Huayno is a style of music that comes from the deep Andean regions of Peru.

Performance on May 11th, 2014 at Whitman Theater, Brooklyn, NY.

Derek LaRoche - Cello

Matthew Gantt - Sampler

Espacio

- For Horn & Electronics -

Performance on October 31st, 2013 at the International Electroacoustic Music Festival in Brooklyn College, New York.

Melissa Danas - Horn

Matthew Gantt - Sampler

Perla

- For Orchestra -

This orchestral work is inspired by Marinera, a music genre from the northern regions of Peru. In particular, by the first Marinera song ever notated, "Concha de Perla."

Recorded on May 9, 2013 at Whitman Theater in Brooklyn College, New York.

Reading by the Brooklyn College Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by George Rothman.

Amazonia

- For Two Flutes, Piano & Percussion -

Being from Peru, Paredes focuses on highlighting her background by writing pieces inspired by various types of Peruvian music. This piece, Amazonia, is based on Amazonian music. It is an upbeat composition, accompanied by tribal dances native to some of tribal communities of the Peruvian Amazon.

Performed on November 19, 2012 in Studio 312 at Brooklyn College, New York.

Sarah Kuzma & Tais Szilagi - Flute

Paula Battista & Arsid Ketjuntra - Percussion

Gregory Post - Piano

Marinera

- For Marimba -

Marinera is a piece written while Ivonne Paredes was still an undergraduate student at Rollins College. It is influenced by Ney Rosauro’s marimba preludes and the melodies of the marinera song Asi Baila mi Trujillana by Peruvian composer Juan Benites Reyes. Marinera is a music style from the northern regions of Peru.

Performed on April 18, 2010 in Tiedtke concert hall at Rollins college. Winter Park, FL.

Ivonne Paredes - Marimba