A Caged Bird: Student Artist Recital, Sirena Nuñez

C I S U M A S T U

t n e d u St t s i t r A s l a t i Rec ear Y c i m e d a Ac 2021-2022

@utsamusic

WE CULTIVATE ARTISTS The University of Texas at San Antonio is in the business of training excellent performers, educators, composers, and entrepreneurs.

We develop the creative minds of more than 300 students who are hungry to make their mark in the the arts.

YOU MATTER.

Did you know that you can enhance the student-artist experience at UTSA Music?

You can directly impact our ability to

award music scholarships

provide travel funding for student performances, competitions, festivals, and conferences

support graduate and undergraduate research and presentations at regional and national conferences

commissioning vital new work for student performances

These experiences are so important and you make them happen.

So when we say ‘you matter,’ we seriously mean it.

MAKE AN IMPACT.

Sirena Nuñez, Flute Mark Alexander, Piano Concertino Op.107 (1902)

Cecile Chaminade (1857 – 1944)

La Alborada de la Esperanza (2019)

José Elizondo (n/a – Present)

Flute Sonata No. 5 in D Major Mvt. I (1732)

Pietro Antonio Locatelli (1695 - 1764) Robin Scheffler, bassoon

Radziejowice for Solo Flute (2016)

Alejandro Carrillo (b. 1993)

Fantasie Sur Un Air De F. Schubert (1830)

Theobald Boehm (1794 – 1881)

Prelude for Unaccompanied Flute (1943)

Ulysses Kay (1917 – 1995)

Excursión a la Montaña

José Elizondo

Grace San Juan, Cynthia Elias, violin Jakob Meza, viola Sofia Salazar, Alex Valles, cello Hector Garcia, conductor Salute D’Amor (1889)

Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934)

Sirena Nuñez is a student of Dr. Rachel Leah Woolf This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Performance

I titled this program “A Caged Bird,” in reference to how the flute is used as a bird effect in many compositions. An interesting development in the history of the flute, an instrument capable of conveying many strong emotions, even emotions contradictory towards the effect of the “light fluttering bird.” As a flute player the

idea of the bird is so constant, with fast running lines, and fluttering trills, we have perched our metaphorical wings

The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Music Presents: A Caged Bird Senior Recital Nov 22nd, 2021 5:00pm

different story. The story of a canary who instead of a beautiful bird who is free to spread her wings and sing atop the mountains, that bird performs her songs in a cage. A bird trained to perform with the same rigid expectations that lean towards the image of soft, beautiful, fluttering’s of a stereotypical canary. I want to convey the yearning of a caged canary, tired of singing fluttering tunes for their owner. A canary who dreams of being a large winged eagle, free to fly up in the mountains and sing songs atop the trees of a far-off land closer to home in her heart.

Concertino OP.107 by Cecile Chaminade Cecile Chaminade (August 8th, 1857 – April 13th, 1944): This warrior of art and equality is renowned for her piano pieces, concertos, symphonies, chamber music, and piano etudes. Most notably, she is known for her Concertino for Flute in D major (Op.107). George Bizet took noticed of her potential talent at a young age and chose to help foster her talents in opposition to those who said it was improper of her as woman to engage in such musical innovation.

An excerpt from Ms. Chaminade: “I do not believe that the few women who have achieved greatness in creative work are the exception, but I think life has been tough to women; they have not been given a chance, they have not been given security... The woman has not been considered a workforce in the world and the work that her sex and condition impose on them has not been adjusted to give her a complete idea for the development of the best of herself. She has been incapacitated, and only a few, despite the strength of the circumstances of the inherent difficulty, have been able to get the best out of that incapacitation" – Chaminade. (Imperial Music House Publishing’s 2020 reprint of this piece.)

This work was used as an examination piece (Morceaux de concours) by the Conservatoire de Paris.

Composed in 1902 and debuted in London, the piece was performed by Marguerite de Forest Anderson on flute with orchestra accompaniment with a dedication to Paul Taffanel. This piece to me is a staple in flute literature. I consider it the piece that every flute player at one point in their lives has become obsessed with, or as I like to call it, “that one piece we have all had as our ring tone at one point or another.” It is truly a beautiful piece, and Ms. Chaminade inspires all female flute players to follow our dreams regardless of the societal pressures we face as women.

La Alborada de la Esperanza by José Elizondo “The inspiration for this composition is the journey from darkness to light that happens when someone faces a challenging situation and is able to turn around and focus on a more positive future to come. Even though

there is some struggle and melancholy in this journey, it gets transformed into hope. The result is a surprisingly

at the front of the ensemble like a bright bird at the top of a tree. However, in this program I hope to convey a

and cello version was premiered by Sébastien Hurtaud and Pamela Hurtado as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11th, 2018. The version for cello and string orchestra was premiered during the World Youth Days in Panama on January 24th, 2019.” – José Elizondo Flute Sonata No. 5 in D Major Mvt. I by Pietro Antonio Locatelli This rhythmically varied Vivace is the opening movement of the fifth of 12 sonatas for flute and continuo that Italian composer Pietro Antonio Locatelli published in Amsterdam in 1732. The Basso Continuo part is played by the Bassoon but alternatively can be played by any bass instrument.

Radziejowice for Solo Flute by Alejandro Carrillo Dedicated to Evelin Degen, Alejandro Carrillo conveys the dynamic depth of extended techniques on the flute in this wonderful piece. With timbre changes from solid to airy tone qualities, key clicks, tongue pizzicato, flutter tongue, Jet air, glissandos, varied vibrato oscillations, and microtonal fingerings, Alejandro challenges the flute player to explore the side of flute not normally heard typical flute repertoire.

Fantasie Sur Un Air De F. Schubert by Theobald Boehm.

Fantasie Sur Un Air was originally published by the Aristide Farrenc Company as “Variations sur une valse de Schubert pour la flûte avec accompagnement de piano, Op.21,” during the 1830’s. Fantasie in the title was added at a later date. This piece is a Romantic Flute and Piano piece that Boehm based on the apocryphal theme "Le Désir" from 6 Waltzes, Anh.14 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Romantic pieces during this time show cased the flute in a more “flashy” way. The themes and variation show case a much wider range and variety of flute characteristics through the Introduction of the theme and it’s set of variations. In this piece specifically, the form is that of an introduction, the theme, a set of 3 variations, an Adagio, and a Rondo. This piece beautifully showcases the more robust romantic sounds of this time period and is amongst the main reason I chose this piece as it felt like a staple in flute literature.

“Theobald Boehm Not only contributed to the evolution of flute making by constructing his Boehm flute, but also added to the flute literature by composing numerous etudes, concertos, and recital pieces.” – Gerhard Braun.

Prelude for Unaccompanied Flute by Ulysses Kay (1943) Ulysses Kay (January 7th, 1917 – May 20th, 1995) Kay is an accomplished individual, he was a performer, a composer, and a veteran. Mr. Kay was famous internationally and received many praises and recognition for his works in orchestra, film scores, and music for operas, choral works, and television. Some of Kay’s most notable

Operas being: The Juggler of Our Lady, The Boor, and The Caiotoline Venus. Mr. Kay’s flute works are less known

luminous composition. It's a very tonal and lyrical and it is dedicated to French cellist Sébastien Hurtaud. The piano

compositional style is complex. His works encompass many technical, cultural and stylistic idioms.” – Douthit This piece was composed shortly after Mr. Kay enlisted in the Navy Band. During his enlistment it was discovered in a phone interview that this piece was composed as an etude for developing proper breathing techniques, as the concept of breath support was very different for the 2 instruments he was currently performing on, the flute and the sax. I chose this piece because I wanted to challenge myself and my lung capacity. Kay’s etude being one to teach the flute player how to use their air efficiently while also creating beautiful nuance in the phrases of this piece.

Excursión a La Montaña by José Elizondo The wind gently caresses the trees as we awaken at the base of the mountain. Gentle bird songs and sunshine announce the new day The excursion to the top of the mountain begins with energy, joy and anticipation. There’s a bounce in our step and a smile o our face.

We pause here and there to catch our breath. Our heart, agitated and beating fast, strains to leap out of our chest. It takes a little while for us to settle down and take in the landscape.

We are filled with a sense of wonder as we look around. The agitation of the climb and the troubles of our daily life start to fade. They are replaced by a sense of tranquility and the exotic sound of birds.

The light and warmth of the sun and the beauty of the landscape transform us. A sense of peace and serenity envelops us. We long for this moment to last forever.

We must leave the mountain and return home. Images and experiences persist, energizing us and inspiring us to come again.

“Tells the story of the first excursion of a child to the top of a little mountain. Stylistically, the piece is inspired by the music of Debussy and Prokofiev. In addition to impressionistic harmonies, it incorporates elements of Mexican music and Spanish Flamenco music. This piece was originally written for a friend of the composer, flutist Kim Sopata. This piece has been championed, in particular, by the talented Orlando Cela, who has performed it extensively around the world.”– José Elizondo

Salute D’Amor by Edward Elgar Edward Elgar (June 2nd, 1857 – February 23rd, 1934): Presenting Salute D’Amor to his fiancé after

receiving her gift, a poem called “The Wind at Dawn.” The dedication “à Carice,” is a combination of his fiancé’s

yet still hold his creative style, all infused in his melodic, harmonic, and formal structure of his pieces. “Kay’s

given and surname. The first public performance was of the orchestral version, at a Crystal Palace concert on 11th of November 1889, conducted by August Manns. Edward Elgar is a famous English composer, with renown works for orchestra, violin, and cello, with my favorite composition of his being the Cello Concerto in E minor! I chose this piece because of how obviously giddy Elgar must have been when he wrote it. You can feel the love and excitement

for his then fiancé through the music, and the piece made me feel like a hopeless romantic every time I listen to it.

LET’S DO MORE TOGETHER!

Never miss a beat!

Sign up for Cadenza

Come to a concert!

Peruse the pages of our November Issue.

Find out why our student-artists love training at UTSAMusic!

Audition for us!