'Energy crackles around the Cuban-born conductor and composer like an electric field.'


Sunday Times Magazine

 

'We find musical Britain inconceivable without her, and not just because she brings a gust of Latin energy and a warmth to the frequently staid groves of musical academy..."
Time Out

 

Are you a Music student or recent Music graduate currently working on Latin composers? Join us at King's College London where Cuban-American pedagogue and polymath, Odaline de la Martínez, will be offering a day of public, one-to-one coaching sessions on Latin Classical repertoire to a group of young talents. Participation is open to all instruments and levels (from enthusiast through to professional) by prior application. Participants will also present final performances of their repertoire in an informal evening concert. Places are limited to a maximum of x12, so early registration is strongly recommended!

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Odaline de la Martínez is a formidable force on today's classical music scene, pursuing a busy career as a composer, conductor, record producer and event curator. Working with everything from Mozart symphonies to the latest contemporary music, she has acquired a remarkable reputation for her versatile and eclectic vision. Martínez obtained her MMus in Composition at the University of Surrey following studies at Tulane University and the Royal Academy of Music, where she founded her ensemble, Lontano, in 1976 and with whom she has performed and broadcast all over the world. She appears frequently as guest conductor with leading orchestras worldwide and throughout Great Britain, including all the BBC orchestras; Martínez was the first woman to conduct a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984.

 

Martínez runs the London Festival of American Music (now in its 7th year), and for the 2020 season is co-curating Julliard’s FOCUS Festival of women composers. She has recorded over 40 CDs with Lorelt (Lontano Records, which she founded in 1992), Chandos, Summit, Albany, Metier, Conifer Classics, DaCapo and BMI and is also known as a broadcaster for BBC radio and television. She has received numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Villa-Lobos Medal from the Brazilian Government, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Surrey. A prolific composer, Martínez wrote her first opera, Sister Aimee: An American Legend, in 1984 and recently premiered her latest opera trilogy Imoinda: A Story of Love and Slavery. As a musician Martínez is published by Composers Edition.

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REGISTRATION

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If you would like to take part in this event, please email us at info@ilams.org.uk with the following information:

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1. Name

2. Instrument / ensemble

3. Piece(s) you would like to work on, with precise durations

4. Contact telephone number

5. Postal Address

6. Age

7. Approximate level

8. Audio / video links of your performances (if you have any)

9. Social media handles

10. How you heard about this event

11. Any other information you think it would be useful for us to  know about you

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T&Cs

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• Each coaching session will last 30 minutes.

• Pieces must either be: by a composer of Spanish, Portuguese or Latin American origin; or be inspired by one of these regions in some way.

• If you would like some guidance on choosing repertoire or locating scores we can provide a list of suggested pieces and publishers for your instrument and level.

• Original compositions (as opposed to arrangements) on original instruments will be preferred, but we are happy to consider exceptions and to advise on specific pieces.

• Chosen repertoire should add up to no more than 5 minutes. Longer works comprising multiple movements may be presented if including one movement no longer than 5 minutes to be performed in the evening concert.

• All participants in the masterclasses will be expected to perform in the evening concert.

• Applications are welcome from musicians of any instrument (including voice) but please note that participants must bring their own instruments (with the exception of piano). Small ensembles are also welcome (duos, trios or quartets).

• Participants are welcome regardless of age, level or background.

• Participants are expected to attend the whole of their morning/afternoon session.

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Organised by ILAMS as part of Echoes Festival 2019 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, Talent Unlimited and King's College London

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