Hiroya Miura directs the orchestra in five works by four composers. Performing in pieces by Mendelssohn and Bach are two winners of this year’s Bates student concerto competition. Also: Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 (“Reformation”); Chabrier’s “Espana, Rhapsody for Orchestra”; and Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras” No. 1. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Olin Concert Hall, 75 Russell St. Free, but tickets required: bit.ly/bates-orchestra. FMI 207-786-6135 or [email protected].

From what I understand, the Havana contemporary music festival has been going on for over 20 years, but last year was apparently the first year an American ensemble ever played at the festival. So this ensemble is taking my music to the festival and performing it there. From what I understand, because Cuba had cultural isolation ñsomewhat ñ so, itís a contemporary music festival, but they also play older Western pieces that were recently discovered by Cubans. For instance, they apparently had the Cuban premiere of Bartokís ‘String Quartet’ las year and so on and so forth. Itís quite interesting for me to learn what they already know about Western music, what they know about American music, because people say that Aaron Copeland is the last American composer that was played there, but I know itís not true, because obviously, scores, lots of people have already traveled to Cuba, brought music, CDs, and scores, so Iím very interested in the local music scene and of course exciting Afro-Cuban music as well and American composers for the organization thatís sending me to this festival and organizing various visits to schools, different musical organizations and Iím quite excited to be part of this.

This piece (it is on the piano behind him) is titled ‘Open Passage.’ Itís a piece I wrote in memory of my friend Andrew Svoboda (he was of Czech origin) who was a very young, talented composer who died suddenly at the age of 26. Itís a very special piece for me. The piece itself is about 10 years old.Associate Professor of Music Hiroya Miura in his Olin Arts Center office.

From what I understand, the Havana contemporary music festival has been going on for over 20 years, but last year was apparently the first year an American ensemble ever played at the festival. So this ensemble is taking my music to the festival and performing it there. From what I understand, because Cuba had cultural isolation ñsomewhat ñ so, itís a contemporary music festival, but they also play older Western pieces that were recently discovered by Cubans. For instance, they apparently had the Cuban premiere of Bartokís ‘String Quartet’ las year and so on and so forth. Itís quite interesting for me to learn what they already know about Western music, what they know about American music, because people say that Aaron Copeland is the last American composer that was played there, but I know itís not true, because obviously, scores, lots of people have already traveled to Cuba, brought music, CDs, and scores, so Iím very interested in the local music scene and of course exciting Afro-Cuban music as well and American composers for the organization thatís sending me to this festival and organizing various visits to schools, different musical organizations and Iím quite excited to be part of this.

This piece (it is on the piano behind him) is titled ‘Open Passage.’ Itís a piece I wrote in memory of my friend Andrew Svoboda (he was of Czech origin) who was a very young, talented composer who died suddenly at the age of 26. Itís a very special piece for me. The piece itself is about 10 years old.