On Saturday, May 5, at 7 pm, the Binghamton Community Orchestra will be performing the very first of my Leyendas Místicas, Égloga: el Sauce que se enamoró de la Caricia del Viento (Eclogue: the Willow that fell in love with the Wind’s Caress). I am sure I need not say how excited I am. In all truth, the composition was actually performed years ago, but in another form, namely an arrangement for saxophone choir by the talented and generous Nigel Wood. But the version for orchestra was the original, premiered, at long last, in October by the symphony orchestra of Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, conducted by Jeff Jacobsen, who is also the Music Director of the Binghamton ensemble.

Jeff and I met some time ago when he was the principal bassist on a recording of Égloga done by the Millenium Symphony, and he expressed an interest in it even then, so I was more than pleased when he asked if he could premiere the piece at Mansfield. Certainly the first performance was a long time coming, but the piece is known in fairly small circles from the two recordings that have been made of it.

Spring seems the ideal time to hear this pastoral gem, and I am very much looking forward to hearing it. If you are interested in attending, please see the link to the BCO above for details on time and place; I would be very happy to see you.

[Note: the attached recording was made in 2003 with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Joel Suben]