program notes by composition > C > Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Arturo Márquez/arr. Oliver Nickel
Conga del Fuego Nuevo (Conga of New Fire) is an uptempo, celebratory piece. The percussion section provides the signature kick at the end of the conga pattern. The pace slows in the middle section to spotlight the trumpet in a mariachi-like melody. The alto saxes pick it up and relax into a ritard followed by a return of the opening material. The piece ends in fiery fashion.
Arturo Márquez (b.1950) was born in Mexico, the eldest of nine children and son of a mariachi musician. He grew up with musical styles in his childhood, particularly Mexican "salon music," which would be the impetus for his later work. He studied at the Mexican Music Conservatory and in France and the U.S. He has composed numerous scores for film and dance. He works at the National University of Mexico.
Last updated on May 9, 2016 by Palatine Concert Band