Ventos (2007)
Ventos was commissioned by Quintet of the Americas and premiered by the Quintet at Merkin Concert Hall in NYC on May 10, 2007.
The title of Ricardo Romaneiro’s wind quintet, Ventos, is the Portuguese word for winds, a pun that perfectly describes the piece. This dazzling display of ensemble virtuosity is a lively confection of interlocking, metrically irregular ostinatos that sometimes spin off into melismatic melodies or unite in driving unisons. Its dance-like rhythms remind us that, although he now lives in New York City, the composer was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and the skipping grace notes and swirling arpeggios of Ventos suggest both the lively pulse of Carnaval and the energetic dance music that are among his chief influences. This does not preclude a creeping melancholy that pervades the quieter interludes that appear throughout the piece. Eventually Ventos subsides into a brief chorale derived from earlier harmonies, and then, like the capricious gusts of its title, suddenly disappears into thin air. -Note by Eric Shanfield
Ricardo Romaneiro was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and moved to the U.S. at an early age. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Ricardo’s music synthesizes classical and electronic music. His works have been performed at the Museum of Modern Art’s Summergarden Series, New Juilliard Ensemble, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, ECCE, American Composers Orchestra, many dance companies, and a recent performance with the Wordless Music Orchestra at BAM Opera House for the live film & orchestra performance of Terrance Malick’s film Voyage of Time for 100 piece orchestra and choir with Ricardo performing live electronics. Co-founder of SUBHAZE, Ricardo creates immersive concerts, installations and concepts with an array of artists, brands, ensembles, orchestras & venues.
For more information see the composer’s website:
www.romaneiro.com