We had an incredible time at our annual Composition Workshop in Guarda do Embaú, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Majestic whales appeared close to shore, offering our composers unforgettable inspiration. To crown the experience, the remarkable quartet led by Paloma Pitaya delivered captivating performances of every participating composer’s work, making this year’s workshop truly extraordinary.
Experience the inspiring atmosphere of our Workshop, where whales, rich cultural heritage, and a talented quartet sparked extraordinary new works—captured in video recordings.
Enjoy the videos!
Compositions for String Quartet
IBOC
3rd Composition Immersion at Guarda
August 2024 – Guarda do Embaú SC – Brazil.
Artistic Director: João MacDowell
Elen Ortiz – Conductor
Paloma Pitaya – Violin
Clara Lamonaca – Violoncello
Alessandra Bassani – Viola
Aili Garopaba – Violin
Ronald Trey Walton – Piano
Motherless Child Suite
by Ronald Trey Walton
Ronald’s compositions reflect his profound journey as a Black composer from the United States, blending jazz and gospel-inspired harmonies with the rich emotional depth of African American cultural heritage.
Ukweli Wako
by Ronald Trey Walton
Capricho Forro
Paloma’s composition channels her profound connection to Brazilian folk music and vibrant dance rhythms of “Forró” music. The intricacy of her work is matched only by her extraordinary virtuosity as a violinist.
Prenda Minha
by Alessandra Bassani
Ms. Bassani presents a remarkable reinterpretation of a Brazilian folk classic. Her inventive structural and harmonic alterations showcase a distinctive originality and a profound command of the source material.
Whale Fall
Ms. Lamonaca employs cutting edge contemporary compositional techniques to conjure a soundscape inspired by the whales observed at Guarda do Embaú. By integrating rhythms from her Uruguayan heritage, she weaves a tapestry that is simultaneously powerful, original, and captivating.
Chuva de Verão
by Natália Cabral Varachin
A young composer of extraordinary ability, Natália crafted a string quartet piece that interweaves memorable, soundtrack-inspired melodies—evocative of both cinema and video games—with a masterful command of classical harmony and counterpoint.
As Baleias
by Yuri Marks
Mr. Yuri Marks unveiled a remarkable vocal aria for bass-baritone, supported by our string quartet. The work portrays an imprisoned environmental activist praying to break free and save the whales—an issue that resonated deeply with our group. Heightening the piece’s emotional impact, Mr. Marks performed the aria himself, delivering a powerful and moving interpretation of its urgent theme.
Ronald “Trey” Walton – INTERVIEW:
Kid Mumu – Direção de Imagens
Pia – Camera
Daniel Librelatto – Gestor de Projetos
Apoio Institucional: Instituto Casa Nobre