MASCARADA is a 15-minute four movement composition written for solo cello, flamenco dancer, and strings. The title Mascarada is a Spanish word for masquerade and is inspired by the composer’s personal fascination with Spanish music, especially the flamenco dance culture which is passionate, rhythmic, full of spontaneous energy and feminine beauty. The four connected movements, Prologue, Ballo, Epilogue, and Masque, are constructed with lush melodies, contrasting moods, colourful strings, and percussive effects to capture the spirit of flamenco dance elements, and to present to the audience a dramatic music journey that is similar to the Spanish oral storytelling tradition.
MASACARADA was written especially for artists admired by the composer: cellist Rachel Mercer, flamenco dancer Cyrena Luchkow- Huang, and the Allegra Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Janna Sailor.
Rachel Mercer is the Principal Cello of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and Artistic Director of the “5 at the First” Chamber Music Series in Hamilton, Ontario, and has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician across five continents. A truly well-rounded devotee of flamenco, Cyrena Luchkow-Huang is a dancer, singer, and flamenco cellist. She has studied dance with some of the most well-known flamenco dancers in the world.
As one of the only all female professional orchestras in the world, the Allegra Chamber Orchestra maintains the responsibility of the artist in society is to shine a light on issues that need to be changed and addressed, while provoking creative thought and solutions, first within ourselves, and then in the broader context of the community at large. Founded in 2016 by conductor and violinist Janna Sailor, the musicians of Allegra are brought together not only as professional musicians, but as women united in service and support of other women and their communities Janna Sailor has firmly established herself as a conductor, violinist, and ground-breaking visionary on the Canadian music scene. In addition to guest conducting the major orchestras in Canada, Janna pursues a diverse career as a violinist, delving into contemporary, world and early music, jazz and improvisation, chamber music, and interdisciplinary projects with dancers, visual artists, and electronics.
