Forbidden Fire
George Cordes (baritone), Rodney Nolan (tenor), University of Miami Symphony Orchestra, University of Miami Chorale, Miami Children's Chorus, Thomas Sleeper (conductor)
Robert Xavier Rodriguez is one of the most significant and often-performed American composers of his generation. His teachers have included Nadia Boulanger, Jacob Druckman, Bruno Maderna and Elliott Carter. His Forbidden Fire, Cantata for the Next Millennium is scored for bass-baritone, double chorus and orchestra. The work was commissioned by the University of Miami School of Music and received its world premiere on October 17, 1998. Conceived as a companion piece to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, it is a 22 minute exploration of dangerous or forbidden knowledge, as represented by the Promethean metaphor of stealing fire from the gods. Con Flor y Canto is a narrative cantata, the central portion of Rodriguez' Adoracion Ambulante (1994), a full-evening multi-media Mexican folk celebration. This work had its premiere in October, 1994. Scrooge, Concert Scenes from "A Christmas Carol" for bass-baritone, Chorus and Orchestra telescopes the actions and myriad characters of Dicken's story into an 18 minute tour de force of five short scenes featuring the single character of Scrooge accompanied by a chorus of ghosts and holiday revelers.
Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Fire | Robert Xavier Rodriguez | George Cordes, baritone, Rodney Nolan, tenor, Univ. of Miami Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Thomas Sleeper, conductor |
| Cor Flor y Canto | Robert Xavier Rodriguez | George Cordes, baritone, Rodney Nolan, tenor, Univ. of Miami Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Thomas Sleeper, conductor |
| Scrooge, Concert Scenes | Robert Xavier Rodriguez | George Cordes, baritone, Rodney Nolan, tenor, Univ. of Miami Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Miami Children's Chorus, Thomas Sleeper, conductor |
Reviews
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"...there's a picture of...Robert Xavier Rodrigez at the back of the booklet that all but says 'This is a fellow out to put some joy into his music.' Well, the smile doesn't lie."
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