Aurelio De La Vega Recordatio

Soprano Anne Marie Ketchum and the North/South Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Max Lifchitz perform Aurelio De La Vega's RECORDATIO. Aurelio De La Vega (1925-2022) received numerous accolades throughout his career as a composer. He won the prestigious Friedheim Award from the Kennedy Center twice, first in 1978 and again in 1984. De La Vega was also honored with the Cintas Foundation's William B. Warren Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ignacio Cervantes Medal for Lifetime Achievement. Additionally, he received four nominations for the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2018, he was inducted into the Imperial Spanish Order of King Charles V, receiving the title of Comendador. Soprano Anne Marie Ketchum is renowned for her interpretations of contemporary and twentieth-century Latin American art music. She has performed at various prestigious venues, including the International Forum of New Music in Mexico City, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Series, the Southwest Chamber Ensemble, the Monday Evening Concerts series at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella New Music series, and the Sunday Live series presented by Los Angeles County. In addition to her performance career, Ms. Ketchum has taught at Pasadena City College and served as the Stage Director for the Metropolitan Opera National Council – Western Region Showcase Concerts in Palm Springs. She is also the Founding Artistic Director of the acclaimed Verdi Chorus, based in Los Angeles, which is currently celebrating its 42nd anniversary of performing operatic choral music. Below is the text by Cuban poet Emilio Ballagas that De La Vega based his very last composition. De como Dios disfraza su ternura (de "Cielo en rehenes", 1951) by Emilio Ballagas (1908-1954) Si a mi angustiosa pregunta no respondes, yo se que soy abeja de tu oido. Dias silencioso, Dias des conocido, c:por que si mas te busco, mas te escondes? Las alas de los cuandos y d6ndes manchan de sombra el litoral perdido en donde clamo .. . Si no estais dormido ta! vez mi hoguera parpadeante rondes. Lucero en lo alto de mi noche oscura, o vampiro amoroso que la veta se bebe lento de mi sangre impura. j Como nutres de luz a tu criatura en tanto la devoras! jQue secreta, que secreta, Senor, es tu temura! Of how God disguises his tenderness (From "Heaven held hostage", 1951) by Emilio Ballagas (1908-1954) English translation by Aurelio De La Vega. If you do not respond to my anguished question, I know I am your ear's bee. Silent God, unknown God, why the more I search for you, the more you hide? The waves of the when and where stains with shadows the lost litoral where I clamor ... If you are not asleep maybe my blinking bonfire you prowl. Brilliant star in the high up of my dark night, or amorous vampire that slowly drinks the vein streak of my impure blood, How you nourish with light your creature while devouring her! How very secret, how much secret, Lord, is your tenderness! For further information about the concert and recording activities sponsored by North/South Consonance, Inc. please visit https://www.northsouthmusic.org/ COPYRIGHTED © 2026 All Rights Reserved