“Azul,” a critically-acclaimed cello concerto by Osvaldo Golijov, Loyola Professor of Music at the College of the Holy Cross, received its television premiere on New Year’s Eve. The performance was part of the opening gala concert for the New York Philharmonic’s 2013-14 season. Yo-Yo Ma, for whom the work was composed, performed the solo and music director Alan Gilbert conducted. The program is now available on PBS.com as part of the “Live from Lincoln Center” series.
“In ‘Azul,’ we have the orchestra that is breathing but is also creating these circular harmonies,” says Golijov in “A Kind of Blue: Osvaldo Golijov’s ‘Azul.’ ” The video, also produced by PBS through “Live from Lincoln Center,” explores the composition process behind ‘Azul,’ which was written exclusively for Ma.
“In many ways, these two men make ideal musical partners,” says Tony Award winner Audra McDonald about Golijov and Ma in an introduction. “Both have artistically sought to cross cultural borders and to merge classical and modern elements in their work. For Osvaldo Golijov, these interests also hold a key to his remarkable story.”
- Watch “New York Philharmonic Gala with Yo-Yo Ma” (introduction and “Azul” begin at 10 minute mark)
- Watch “A Kind of Blue: Osvaldo Golijov’s ‘Azul’ ”
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