El Canto de la Cisne Negro
Elan D.
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Written by the Brazilian composer Villa Lobos, El Canto de la Cisne Negro (Song of the Black Swan), is a lesser know but still important contribution to the Classical Canon. As a multi racial cellist trained in classical music, I find it important to play pieces that resonate with parts of my culture. While playing this piece, I imagine a lonesome swan, flying over a lake while watching other swans together. I think this piece was a way for Villa Lobos to grapple with the exclusions and injustices of society. In playing this piece, I try to create a sound that captures the strength and beauty of lamentation that I think Villa Lobos intended for the listener to feel, souring above the arpeggios underneath.
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Musical creativity to me means intention. Whenever I perform any piece of music, I bring out what I believe the intention behind the music is. A part of the way I prepare the pieces I play is imagining an image that my playing conveys.
