Composer and bandoneon player JP Jofre performs his piece, To Fred, for his House Music Series video. The piece, a bandoneon solo, gradually builds through deep sentiments of nostalgia and hope. Written to pay homage to his very dear friend, a trombonist named Fred, To Fred is smooth and affecting, tugging at the heart strings with each stroke of the bandoneon.
Jofre began working with Metropolis Ensemble earlier this year, though he and Metropolis Artistic Director Andrew Cyr have known each other for many years. Their first artistic collaboration came as part of Metropolis’s January 7, 2020 concert at (le) Poisson Rouge, Ciranda, which highlighted the many connections between folk-inspired Nuevo Latino music and New York’s contemporary classical scene. Jofre presented a New York premiere of his Double Concerto for violin and bandoneon, performed by himself on bandoneon and Francisco Fullana on violin. To Fred marks their second collaboration and launches their partnership into new, virtual territories. — Vanessa Ague
Episode: 03Date: April 7, 2020Artist: JP JofreInstrumentation: BandoneonWork: “To Fred”Composer: JP JofreLocation: Hamilton Heights, NYMore from House Music