A Southwest Serenade

A colorful depiction of the sounds of New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment!” Commissioned for the Albuquerque Youth Symphony for their performance at the 2008 National ASTA Conference, this piece combines an original theme followed by three Hispanic folk songs- “Don Simon,” “Valse de Cadena” and “A La Ru”- each featuring various sections. First presented in 3/4 time and reprised in 4/4, the theme is a four-note musical spelling of the city name using the notes ABEE and builds to an exciting finish. (5:50)