Angels in Flight – the second in a Music of the Americas series by San Diego ensemble Camarada – captivated attendees with a high-flying musical journey across the American continents. Held in the central performance space at UC San Diego Park & Market with a backdrop of Market Street in lively downtown San Diego, the concert brought together both contemporary composers and Camarada’s original compositions for an astonishing and energetic evening.
To kick off the evening, Rafael Fernández hosted Gilad Cohen, an active composer, performer and theorist in various musical genres, for a pre-concert interview. Cohen’s work adapts features from a wide range of musical realms and explores possible interactions among them, bringing to his creative table rock, impressionism, grunge, metal, klezmer, Baroque, psychedelic rock, Arabic music and 20th-century avant-garde. Cohen also discussed his soaring compositions “Firefly Elegy” and “Three Goat Blues,” which were featured in the program.
A review by Mimi Sells for Vanguard Culture noted, “For me, the highlight was two pieces by visiting composer Gilad Cohen: “Firefly Elegy” and “Three Goat Blues.” His fun and energetic pieces were further enhanced by Cohen’s storytelling which gave us insight into his unique inspirations. When you realize that the sounds you hear in “Firefly Elegy” reflect the life cycle of these insects, the piece took on added resonance.”
In addition to Cohen’s work, the event’s namesake was a composition by Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich, which featured both a clarinet and harp with sweeping melodies and harmonies. Camarada artist-in-residence Andrés Martín took attendees south to Argentina with his “Tango a Todo Madre.” Providing a brilliant edge to the evening was a double bass solo piece by Georgia-born Xavier Foley.
Established in 1994, Camarada concerts share the joy of chamber music by pairing performers of the highest caliber with intimate spaces throughout San Diego. Camarada has carved out a unique niche in San Diego by specializing in Latin and Spanish music. Angels in Flight featured Camarada Founder and Artistic Director, Beth Ross Buckley, with artists Cheryl Renk, David Buckley, Angela Xing, Travis Maril, Lars Hoefs, Andrés Martín, and Elena Mashkovtseva.
Hosting Music of the Americas at Park & Market is just one way in which the building can serve as a cultural intersection point. Our events and performance spaces, theaters and galleries all provide access to multidisciplinary and culturally informed art and science, technology, civic engagement and lifelong learning. Through this space, UC San Diego seeks to express its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by learning from and connecting with our region’s cultural heritage and shared values.
Camarada will host the third and final concert in its Music of the Americas series at Park & Market on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The program titled En Fuego will feature flute, trumpet, bassoon, violin, bass, piano, percussion and mariachi with music from Cuba, Mexico and Buenos Aires.
Tickets and more information are available at camarada.org/camarada-park-market.
Park & Market welcomes the opportunity to host creative collaborations, exhibitions, cultural events, and more. View more upcoming events, learn about hosting your event at UCSD Park & Market, or tour spaces at the building.