los quetzales

The quetzal (ke-TSAL) is a vibrant tropical bird that finds its home in the humid, forested regions of Mexico and Central America. The particular species of quetzal that inspired this work, the resplendent quetzal, is a significant national icon in Guatemala; one can find the resplendent quetzal on the nation’s flag, and even representing the name of Guatemala’s currency! Though I’m an enjoyer of all birds, it’s worth mentioning that my awareness and deep admiration of the quetzal stems from my wife Kimberly, whose ethnicity is Guatemalan.

los quetzales is a musical space that reflects on the vivid, captivating allure of these attention-demanding birds: the male quetzal’s body is a feathery canvas of the most beautiful emerald-green plumage, contrasted by a boldly-painted breast of brilliant red, and featuring a strikingly long, flowing tail (which can reach up to nearly 40 inches in length), often seen trailing behind the quetzal as it confidently soars through the forest. Thus, within the context of this work, the solo violist carries themself as the most dazzling, melodious, and flamboyant resplendent quetzal, influencing and inspiring the rhythmic, harmonic, and gestural language used in the piece.

los quetzales is a result of (Re)Loading the Canon, a program of the American Composers Orchestra, and is co-commissioned by the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, Concert Artists Guild, the Sphinx Organization, and the American Composers Orchestra with support from Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting.