Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys, and electronics as well as for chamber ensembles, orchestras, choir, and film. Her music has been described as “wistfully idiosyncratic and contemplative” (WQXR/Q2) while The New York Times noted her “capacity to surprise.” Negrón has been commissioned by the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Kronos Quartet, loadbang, Prototype Festival, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Sō Percussion, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, and the New York Botanical Garden, among others. Upcoming premieres include works for the Seattle Symphony, LA Philharmonic, Louisville Orchestra and NY Philharmonic Project 19 initiative and multiple performances at Big Ears Festival 2022.
Angélica Negrón
Angélica Negrón
Ave del paraíso
for violin, cello and harp
“Ave del paraíso” is inspired by the tropical plant of the same name, which has unique and brightly colored flowers that look like the head of a bird. This piece is part of a collection of pieces I’ve been writing for different mediums under the broader title of “Herbario Sonoro” (Sonic Herbarium), an exercise in musicalizing the striking beauty of natural forms as a way to preserve them in memory. “Ave del paraíso” also reflects on utopian and idyllic views of places that have deeply complicated histories.
The piece uses field recordings from various birds in Puerto Rico including the Canario de Mangle (Yellow Warbler) & the Pitirre (Kingbird). These field recordings were made by Ernesto Olivares in Plan Bonito in Cabo Rojo and the Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina Bahía de Jobos in Salinas (Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve) during the year 2021.
“Ave del paraíso” is dedicated to my family and friends in Puerto Rico and to Emily Levin, for making it possible for them to be the first to hear this piece.