Música del Corazón features works by three Latin American Masters

La Casita Cultural Center will present the 2015 edition of Música del Corazón or Music of the Heart, a recital featuring classical compositions, rhythms and melodies of Latin America by composers Astor Piazzolla from Argentina, Ignacio Cervantes, from Cuba and Pixinguinha from Brazil. The recital will start at 7 p.m., Friday, February 20 at La Casita, located in the Lincoln Building at 109 Otisco, Syracuse NY 13204.

Colombian violinist Sara Silva, Brazilian pianist Elisa Macedo Dekaney and Cuban saxophonist Alejandro Avilés, will interpret this exceptional repertoire in a series of duets. The recital will open with two tango pieces by Piazzolla, Libertango and Oblivion, followed by Cuban danzas, Los Tres Golpes and Invitación, by Ignacio Cervantes. The latter portion of the program will include five Brazilian Choros by Pixinguinha.

“We are all very excited to be performing the music of these three Latin American masters,” said Sara Silva, artistic director of Música del Corazón. Silva is also the program coordinator and music teacher of eight children currently enrolled in La Casita’s music education program Mi Música. “Our talented young students, all beginners who have been learning violin and piano for a year, will have their first experience of performing in public, a couple of classic lullabies, accompanied by us. They are all extremely excited about this!”

“We are thrilled to present the second edition of Música del Corazón, and establish this program as an annual event at La Casita,” said Tere Paniagua, executive director of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. “This is an opportunity to present the great composers of Latin America to our Syracuse audiences. Música del Corazón also helps to provide support for our music education program at La Casita, which has been very successful this year with only eight students. The program needs to expand by opening enrollment for more students. We have 15 children on our waiting list, and would love to start them in the program this year. We need more instructors and instruments.”

This event is free and open to the public although La Casita will welcome donations in support of its music education program. Suggested donation: $10 per person. For more information, please call (315) 443-2151 or email lacasita@syr.edu.

La Casita is a vibrant cultural, artistic, and learning center, serving as the bridge between the Hispanic communities of Central New York and Syracuse University. The Center is committed to promoting and documenting the arts and culture of Central New York’s Hispanic communities through collaborative programming in the visual and expressive arts, education and community engagement.