Leonardo Balada

Leonardo Balada celebrated his 70th birthday on September 22, 2003. In celebration of this event, a number of world premieres are taking place this season. Balada is Professor of Composition at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (PA), where he has been a member of the music faculty since 1970. In May 2004, Naxos Records will release their fifth Balada CD which will include the following orchestral works: Guernica, Homages to Casals and Sarasate, Symphony No. 4, and Zapata: Images for Orchestra.

Premieres

The cantata Dionisio in Memoriam was first heard in a performance by the Philharmonia and Chorus of Spain at the Soria International Festival, conducted by the composer. Balada's Symphony No. 5 (American), was commissioned and premiered by the Pittsburgh (PA) Symphony Orchestra on October 31-November 2, 2003; the performance was nationally broadcast. Ebony Fantasies, for chorus and orchestra, was commissioned by SGAE and is scheduled to premiere February 17, 2004, by Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid, in Madrid, Spain. Commissioned by the Pittsburgh (PA) Chamber Music Project, the Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Chamber Ensemble will be premiered in May by clarinetist Richard Page with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony, at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. A commissioned work titled Prague Sinfonietta, will be premiered in June by the Czech Sinfonietta of Prague at the Torroella International Music Festival, Spain.

Performances

The following performances took place in celebration of Balada's 70th birthday: the Spanish Radio TV Orchestra presented the European premiere of Steel Symphony in Madrid on October 16-17, 2003, which was broadcast and televised throughout Europe and South America; October 14, Balada's native city Barcelona held a special event organized by the Society of Composers; and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra performed his Cello Concerto No. 2 (New Orleans) as well as Homage to Casals and Sarasate on October 18-19. All these concerts were broadcast and televised in Spain. Other recent performances include the Violin Concerto, Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra; Piano Concerto No. 3, National Orchestra of Spain, Fruhbek de Burgos, conductor; Passacaglia, Orquestra de Cadaques, Neville Marriner, conductor; and Apuntes, Versailles Guitar Quartet.

Recordings

Tragi-comic chamber operas Hangman, Hangman! and its sequel The Town of Greed, Carnegie Mellon Opera Theater, Colman Pearce, conductor; Naxos Records. Cello Concerto No. 2 (New Orleans); Concerto for Four Guitars and Orchestra, performed by the Versailles Guitar Quartet; Celebracio and Passacaglia for orchestra; Naxos Records.

Further Information

• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online