The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks V: Fiesta
Featuring works from contemporary and classical composers
Ravel, Sonia Morales-Matos and World Première by Dr. Royden Tse
Maryland Hall April 4th & 5th, 2025
(Annapolis, Maryland) The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will present the final concert of their 63rd season April 4-5, 2025 at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. The performances will include works from two emerging composers, Dr. Roydon Tse, and Sonia Morales-Matos, as well as Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé. The concert, entitled “Fiesta” includes both new and timeless classical music that weave together the rhythmic intensity of Latin American melodies, the remarkable talents of guest artists Dalí String Quartet, and the classical brilliance of Ravel. ASO Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo is distinguished for bringing emerging, exciting, and important music to the stage; Fiesta showcases his ability to do just that.
Dalí-String Quartet
Dalí String Quartet will accompany the ASO for Fiesta No. 2 and Restless World Anew. Recognized as Chamber Music America’s 2024 Ensemble of the Year, the quartet is composed of Ari Isaacman-Beck, First Violin, Carlos Rubio, Second Violin, Adriana Linares, Viola, and Jesús Morales, Cello.
Celebrated for elevating Latin American string quartet repertoire alongside classical and romantic masterpieces, Dalí Quartet will perform the Annapolis première of Fiesta No. 2 by contemporary composer Sonia Morales-Matos.
“I have known most of the Dalí Quartet members for over two decades. Their professional lives have been passionately dedicated to the art of the string quartet, with a special focus on Latin American composers,” said Novo. “They have been tireless in bringing this extraordinary repertoire to audiences far and wide. It is a true joy to welcome them as ASO’s guest artists for our season-closing concerts, where they will showcase the remarkable versatility of a string quartet as a soloist instrument within the complete orchestral texture.”
The Dalì Quartet’s string instruments replicate the rhythm, percussion, and sound of mambo and salsa in Fiesta No. 2. The music and dance are as common to modern music videos, advertisements and movies as to Afro-Cuban casinos and nightclubs, where they have been celebrated since the 1940s. A vibrant fusion of Latin American dance rhythms with classical brilliance, this festive work for string quartet, string orchestra, and percussion invites the audience to a joyful celebration of unity, peace, and hope.
“Fiesta No. 2, as its title suggests, is a vibrant sonic celebration fueled by energetic Latin rhythms,” said Novo. “Its infectious spirit creates an immediate physical and emotional connection with all who experience it.”
Sonia Morales-Matos Fiesta No. 2
Sonia Ivette Morales-Matos is a Puerto Rican composer, performer, and educator from a distinguished musical family. Her diverse compositions span chamber music, concertos, choral works, Latin Jazz, pop, and sacred music.
Fiesta No. 2 for String Quartet, String Orchestra, and Percussion is a vibrant fusion of classical structure with the infectious dance rhythms of Latin America. The piece immerses listeners in the rich sounds of Latin American music, now a staple in film, commercials, and Broadway. In Fiesta No. 2, Morales-Matos invites the audience to enter a fantastic place where everybody gathers in a special party or fiesta, to celebrate in unity, peace, and hope, despite their differences; a high energy party, where everybody is accepted, and where we can celebrate each other as friends.
The composition invites audiences into a joyous celebration of unity, peace, and hope. It opens and closes with the Puerto Rican plena, a dance genre beloved worldwide, with counterpoint symbolizing voices joining in song. A fiery mambo/salsa section challenges the quartet’s violinists with intricate rhythmic exchanges, while a Cuban rumba highlights the cello’s melodic lines. The piece also nods to the romance of bolero, the drama of Argentine tango, and the elegance of Caribbean danza, creating a dazzling musical journey.
Dr. Roydon Tse Restless World Anew World Première
Dr. Roydon Tse is an award-winning Canadian composer and educator. Dr. Tse’s works for orchestra, chamber, and vocal forces are inspired by the fusion of Eastern and Western elements, the visual arts, and the environment. His most recent piece, Restless World Anew, is a co-commission of the ASO with the Gabriela Frank Academy of Music, and makes its world première in Annapolis at this concert. Dalí String Quartet joins the ASO for the performance of this work.
“Dr. Roydon Tse’s Restless World Anew is a profound reflection on humanity’s stewardship of the natural world and its intricate complexities. Through powerfully evocative orchestration, the piece draws listeners into a space where the urgency to preserve nature feels deeply personal and essential to us all,” said Novo.
Restless World Anew is presented in three movements representing the purity of a new Earth, corruption of the environment by humans, and redemption by Nature. Notably, the last movement is a celebration of life, with melodies that represent the beauty of birds and the fluttering of their wings. Inspired by a walk through a park in Tse’s hometown of Calgary, Alberta, the movement is reflective of the downy woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and other social birds he encountered.
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé
The performance concludes with Ravel’s stunning masterpiece, Daphnis et Chloé, featuring the most memorable sunrise in all of music. “This piece is extremely sensual,” said Novo, who has included pieces from Ravel in previous performances. “It’s a love story that presents an ideal world and that paints a world of ideal sounds that is incredibly attractive.” Novo suggests patrons listen to how Ravel uses the entire orchestra and different instruments to create sumptuous colors and moods. “It is a great piece to end the season,” he said. “Ravel was the master of writing symphony climaxes, he knew how to write them better than anyone. Ravel, born on March 7, 1875, was a Pisces [as is José-Luis], and his composition is one the musicians are most excited to play.”
Pre-Concert Lecture
The performances at Maryland Hall are preceded by a pre-concert lecture offered for free to all ticket holders. The lecture begins at 6:30 PM in the Maryland Hall auditorium and is hosted by Jonathan Palevski, Program Manager of WBJC Classical Radio. To learn more about the history of each piece presented in the repertoire, interested lovers of classical and contemporary music can visit the ASO website: AnnapolisSymphony.org.
Tickets
Patrons are encouraged to experience this extraordinary fusion of classical and contemporary music live! Tickets to the Maryland Hall performances are available online at AnnapolisSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 410-263-0907.
$10 student tickets and military/law enforcement/first responder discounts are available. Please call the Box Office to redeem these discounts.
Season 63
The Season 63 Masterworks series has captivated audiences with thirteen performances over five weekends. Programs have boasted a mix of classical and contemporary compositions, showcasing the timeless works of Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, Bruckner, Shostakovich, and others, alongside contemporary composers like Tania León, Adolphus Hailstork, and Leonard Bernstein. Notable guest artists including pianist Brian Ganz, violinist Netanel Draiblate, hornist Alex Kovling, violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley have joined the ASO, representing just a few of the famous guests who graced the stage under the baton of Maestro Novo throughout his 20 years as Artistic Director and Conductor of the ASO in Annapolis. The Season 63 Masterworks Series is made possible in part with the support of the Brian and Patricia Geise Foundation. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC).
About the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Led by Music Director José-Luis Novo, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra features 70 professional musicians dedicated to delivering extraordinary musical experiences. Now in its 63rd season, the ASO is committed to inspiring, educating, and enriching lives through symphonic music. The orchestra also provides educational programs and community outreach throughout Anne Arundel County. For more information about the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, visit the website annapolissymphony.org
Media Contact: Diana Love, DLove@annapolissymphony.org
Photo credits:
Dalí Quartet – Ryan Brandenberg
Sonia Morales-Matos – JC Photography
José-Luis Novo – Richard Brown for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra © 2025
