Student Solo Favorites: Latino Composers

Finding a way to connect my Latino heritage with my passion for Classical Music has been a continual pursuit in my musical training. Throughout both of my degree programs, studying cultures and music outside of the traditional Western European was always done in an academic setting. Meaning, we studied and analyzed the music, but there was little follow-through in performing that kind of music.

Now I’m not bashing my Classical training, but as a teacher I have made the effort to fill in the gaps that I experienced to make sure my students feel comfortable discovering, studying, and performing music by underrepresented composers. Here are some student favorites composed by Latino composers!

Btw, if you order Canción de Cuna through the blog link, I get a little commission, and you get a little discount at checkout. Or, use the code SIMPERMUSIC when you're ready to order through Flute Center of New York. You're welcome.

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1. Poemeto (Poem) by Osvaldo Lacerda

"It literally sounds like what floating through a flowery meadow feels like."

• Flute and piano

• Great for practicing 6/8 and dotted rhythms

• Mostly slurred with lots of accidentals

• Short and sweet, great for recitals

• Chance to practice rubato

Check out this solo here!

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2. Amor Perdido, Op. 9 (Lost Love Waltz) by Pattápio Silva

"It sounds mysterious, great for using that deep, warm tone in the melody!"

• Flute and piano

• Typical waltz style

• Lots of slurred high notes

• Easy to approach in the practice room

• Simple key signature and piano accompaniment

Check out this solo here!

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3. Atrahente (Polka) by Chiquinha Gonzaga

"I loved that I could be both the melody and the harmony. It's fun, playful, and still a bit challenging."

• Flute and piano (this is a flute duet version)

• Short, peppy, and upbeat

• Simple key signatures with few accidentals

• Covers notes between low D and high A

• Staccato and slurred articulation patterns

Check out this solo here!

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4. Canción de Cuna (Lullaby Song) by Samuel Zyman

"I like how straightforward this piece is. Even though there are a few high Cs, the main melody is really pretty."

• Flute and piano

• Mostly slurred, notes from low C to high C

• Lyrical with a few upbeat sections

• Simple rhythms and reasonable tempos

• great for students getting comfortable with playing with piano

Check out this solo here!

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Which solo is your favorite?

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  Poemeto
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  Amor Perdido
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  Atrahente
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  Cancion de Cuna

Do you like these suggestions? Check out the blog and our Instagram page for more stuff!