Quinteto de Metais Itarratan

Two more works were performed on the first half of the program: Rogério Vieira's Quintetoand Dimas Sedicias's Trilogia Matuta.In this recital, the ensemble's repertoire moved gradually toward compositions that were in a truly nationalist style. Veira's work included a Brazilian waltz, while Sedicias's trilogy displayed nationalism from the onset. The rich tradition from the area of Recife, in Northeast Brazil, was clear in this work from the use of percussion (particularly the various sounds produced with the triangle), speaking in Portuguese, and beautiful Northeastern Brazilian melodies. A brief intermission followed these two works, allowing both the performers and audience to catch their breath.

The second half of the program featured three trumpet solos. First, Renison Oliveira Santos, Principal Trumpet of Orquestra Sinfônica de Belo Horizonte, gave a wonderful performance of Gilberto Gagliardi's Trombeta Espanha.The audience responded with cheers for both the Spanish energy and Santos's expression. Two guests were featured next: Steven Trinkle from Shenandoah Conservatory and Claudio Serafim, a former student of Anor Luciano, who now studies with Trinkle. The two soloists traded phrases, matching styles flawlessly on José Barbosa de Brito's Os Dois Rivais (The Two Rivals), a composition in the Brazilian style of a maxixe.Anor Luciano was the third and final trumpet soloist. He performed Sebastião Gonçalves's Abandonado,a work in the style of a chôro from Rio de Janeiro. Luciano made the most of the contrasting sections (highly rhythmic versus slightly angular and very lyrical). During this work, the ensemble was energized by Luciano's wonderful playing, and the audience received his fantastic performance with a lively round of applause.

Ary Barroso's Aquarela do Brasilwas the final work performed, and the audience was dancing in their chairs as the ensemble played this highly recognized samba. A standing ovation brought the ensemble back for one more work. The entire group, including the percussionist and the guest soloists, were all featured on Juraby Sinhô (a nickname for a composer who's name is not known by the ensemble). International quintets have added flair and excitement to previous conferences; this was definitely true for Itarratan and this year's conference.