History of the International Music Festival Alfredo de Saint Malo

XII Alfredo De Saint Malo International Music Festival was held in tribute to Carmen Cedeño (1941-2017) for her legacy as a violinist, concert artist and teacher. 

The Festival was also the framework for the II Soloists Contest of the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival, which seeks to promote, stimulate and reward the high level of performance of young musicians. 13-year-old Gustavo Gil (Violin, Venezuela) was the winner, and he performed W.A.Mozart Violin concerto no. 5 together with Camerata Panamá. In addition, an Honorable Mention was awarded to Daniel Pérez (Marimba, Panamá) who made an appearance at a percussion concert with professors from the University of Panama.

The performance of the Novarte Quintet, featuring Manuel Ruiz (Flute), Edwin Montenegro (Oboe), Alexis Fong (Clarinet), Susan Jofré (Bassoon) and Joel Arias (French Horn), Bruno Louresentto (Trumpet, Brazil), The Santiago Youth Polyphonic Choir (from Santiago, Veraguas), The Ensemble Soloists of Panama under the direction of the maestro Ricardo Risco (bass), Susan Samudio (soprano), Silvia Fernández-Risco (mezzo-soprano) and Joel Antonio León (tenor).

From the United States, pianists Daniel Rieppel and David Viscoli, performed together with Panamanian percussionists Pedro Fernández and Carlos Camacho.

The Argentinian guitarist Federico Díaz, accompanied by Matías Craciun from Uruguay, Ricardo Zúñiga, (Panama), Luis Casal (Panama) Isaac Casal (Panama) and Karina Núñez (Uruguay). 

The Camerata Panamá under the baton of Victor Mata accompanied Isaac Casal (cello) and Luis Casal (violin), who performed the Concerto for Violin and Cello by Maestro Dinos Constantinides, in memory of Essy Casal and commissioned by the ASMF. 

The Boquete Library became the venue of the concert featuring international group Pen Trio and the guitarist Federico Díaz (Argentina). This was the first collaboration of the Festival outside of the capital.

The Eleventh Edition of the Festival was dedicated to prof. Helena Tagarópulos De Kitras, in recognition of her contribution to music education in Panama. It also honored Mrs. Essy Rodríguez de Casal, an unmatched supporter of the foundation and the festival, and prof. Julieta Alvarado de Rieppel, a great pianist, scholar and friend of FUNSINSCOPA.

The Eleventh Edition of the Festival was dedicated to prof. Helena Tagarópulos De Kitras, in recognition of her contribution to music education in Panama. It also honored Mrs. Essy Rodríguez de Casal, an unmatched supporter of the foundation and the festival, and prof. Julieta Alvarado de Rieppel, a great pianist, scholar and friend of FUNSINSCOPA. 

At the Festival’s inaugural concert the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama (OSN) under the direction of Jorge Ledezma Bradley featured Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and the Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, performed by Tessa Lark. The guest harpist, Elisabeth Plank premiered the harp of the National Symphony Orchestra at the inaugural concert on June 11 at the Dome of the University of Panama . 

The Camerata Panamá performed on June 1 in the auditorium of the Universidad Marítima de Panamá under the direction of Víctor Mata, with following soloists: Isaac Casal (cello/Panama), Ricardo Zúñiga (double bass/Panama), Lacey Hays (trumpet/USA), as well as Arturo Contreras (clarinet/Panama) and Alexis Ricardo Gómez (violin/Panama) – both honorable mentions of the First Soloist Competition of the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival.

Children and Youth orchestras filled the San José Church with glorious music on the night of June 2. The participants included the Chamber Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Chiriquí, the Natá De Los Caballeros Youth Orchestra, and the Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama.

Among other artists and ensembles of the festival we mention the Black Tea Project, Alfredo Hidrovo’s Luna Llena de Tambores, the Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil del Café under the direction of Alejandro Orellana Felipe Hidalgo, Elisabeth Plank (harp) and Mauricio Echeverry (flute), Ensemble Soloists of Panama, Carlos Chávez Quartet featuring Fabián López (violin), Omar Guevara (violin), YuriI Bullon (viola) and Alain Durbecq (cello); Nora Lewis (oboe); The Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama directed by Dino Nugent and Xiomara González.

The closing concert featured the Festival Orchestra and the Paquito D’Rivera Quartet under the direction of Felipe Hidalgo, Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet and saxophone), Mark Walker (percussion), Zachary Brown (bass), and Alexander Brown (piano).

The opening concert featured Luis Casal, with guest artists Oryana Racines, Ricaurte Villareal, and Leonardo Durham. Additionally, the program included performances of the Pen trio and 4 outstanding students of FUNSINCOPA.   

The recently restored Church of San José, known as the one of the Golden Altar, became the concert venue for 3 children’s symphony orchestras, gathering more than 90 young musicians with Juan Castillo, Gabriel Flores and Edgar Dutary as conductors. It is worth mentioning that the Youth Orchestra Natá de los Caballeros came from the province of Coclé to participate in this concert .

The concert of the Pen Trio, featuring Peter O. Palialonga (clarinet), Nora Lewis (oboe) and Erik Van der Veer Varner (bassoon), an American Ensamble recognized for its quality and energetic performances.

Two ensembles from the Autonomous University of Chiriquí – String Orchestra, conducted by Ovidio Castillo and the “A Viva Voz” Choir under the direction of Wanda Castillo participated in a joint concert.

The Concert of Winds, featuring 3 Panamanian groups: “Isthmus Sax” saxophone quartet, Woodwind Quintet “Tempus” and the brass quintet “Bronzes”.

Two a capella ensembles: “A Tutta Voce”, with Mozart’s repertoire and Ensemble Soloists of Panama, with a jazz program.

The group 3 (r) Three by radio, who performed a contemporary, Panamanian repertoire, including the world premiere of the work “En sonidos de mi tierra”, by Christian Restrepo.*

The Camerata Panamá directed by Víctor Mata performed among other works the world premiere of “Malambo” by Miguel del Águila*, a piece for bassoon and string orchestra, with Auramarina Treviño from Venezuela as the soloist.

*world premiere

In this tenth edition, the festival also took place in Chiriquí. In the welcoming ambient of the Boquete Library, the Camerata Alfredo De Saint Malo performed Panamanian repertoire as well as selections of standard classical chamber music. The closing concert included works by A.Vivaldi, A.Piazzolla, D.Shostakovich and L.Casal. The quality and energy with which they approached the works received a major applause. 

This year the Festival welcomed more than 200 musicians.

Orchestras and ensembles of the Festival: “A Tutta Voce” Ensemble,  “A Viva Voz” University Polyphonic Choir, “Broncés” Brass Quintet, Camerata Alfredo De Saint Malo, Camerata Panamá, Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama,  “Isthmus Sax” Quartet, Natá de los Caballeros Youth Orchestra, Soloist Ensemble of PanamaPen Trio (USA), String Orchestra of UNACHI, Classical Wind Quintet “Tempus”, Youth Symphony Orchestra of the INAC School of Music ,  3 (r) Three by Radio . 

Artists of the festival: Daniel Agudo (bassoon), Santiago Alba (trumpet), Elliete D. Apolayo (flute), José Berdiales (tuba), Carlos Camacho (percussion), Luis Casal, (viola / violin), Juan Castillo (conductor), Ovidio Castillo (conductor), Wanda E. Castillo  (conductor),  Leoni Delgado (french horn), Jacob Dike (percussion), Leonardo Durham (piano), Diana Durán (soprano), Edgar Dutary (conductor), Edric Echevers (saxophone), Silvia Fernández-Risco (soprano), Gabriel Flores (conductor), Elke Guardia (mezzo-soprano), Juan Carlos Iglesias (saxophone), Markus Kaitila (piano), Daniel Lemos  (guitar),  Joel León (tenor), Nora Lewis (oboe), Leopoldo Magallón (oboe), Obed Maldonado (piano), Josué Martínez (tenor), Rigoberto Mercado (percussion), Guillermo Morales (trombone), Iván Navarro (saxophone), Oryana Racines (violin),  Jorge Oliva (conductor),  Peter O. Palialonga (clarinet),  Salvador Ríos (bass), Ricardo Risco (conductor), Yaisury Rodríguez (soprano), Josiah Rusching (percussion), Susan Samudio (soprano), Faustino Sánchez (trumpet), Alger Simmons (saxophone), Carlos Tovar (tenor),  Elisa Troetsch (soprano), Erick Van Deer See Varner (bassoon), Gustavo Vega (french horn), Ricaurte Villarreal (Panamanian drum), Alicia Vivas (director of scenography).

The ninth edition of the  Festival had two major milestones.

Dinos Constantinides, a prolific and award winning composer became the composer in residence of the Festival. The numerous compositions of Mr. Constantinides were performed throughout the Festival. Among them Celestial Symphony No. 6 at the inauguration concert conducted by maestro Constantinides himself.

The first concert of the Festival presented the violinist Frank Almond and the pianist Daniel Rippel.  Frank Almond‘s Stradivarius “Lipiński” once belonged to Alfredo De Saint Malo. This instrument was last heard in Panama 86 years earlier, April 22, 1929, played by the famous Panamanian violinist.

Importantly, this year the Festival was awarded the Anita Villalaz Award, which distinguishes every year people and institutions that contribute to culture in Panama and excel in the arts and education.

Orchestras and ensembles of the Festival: String Orchestra “Arcos” from the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal, Camerata Panamá, INAM Contemporary Music Ensemble, National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Santiago Polyphonic Youth Choir of Veraguas, Soloist Ensemble of Panama, The Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama,  Panama Youth School

Artists of the Festival: Mauricio Agüero (saxophone/Argentina), Frank Almond (violin/USA), Julieta Alvarado (harpsichord/Panama), Álvaro Angulo (cello/Colombia), Luis Casal (viola, violin/Panama), Paola Casal (singer/Panama), Juan Cedeño (electric bass/Panama), Paul Christopher (cello/USA), Dinos Constantinides (composer/USA), Silvia Fernández-Risco (singer/Panama), Efraín González (violin, guitar/Panama), Elke Guardia (violin/Panama), Katherine Kemler (flute/USA), Jorge Ledezma Bradley (conductor/Panama), Victor Mata (conductor/Panama, Venezuela), Dayana Morales (horn, voice/Panama), Libia Montaño (soprano/Panama), Graciela Núñez (violin/Panama), Fatima Pimentel (voice/Panama), Ella Ponce (caja/Panama), Daniel Rieppel (piano/USA), Ricardo Risco (baritone,conductor/Panama), Alejandra Saez (piano/Argentina), Gustavo Salamín (guitar/Panama), Ramón Segistán (Panamanian drums/Panama), Gregory Sioles (piano/USA), Joseph Skillen (tuba/Panama), Carlos Tovar (tenor/Panama), Norberto Ulloa (guitar/Panama), Ricaurte Villarreal (Panamanian drums/Panama), Esther Waite (flute/USA),  Carlos Manuel Zabala (trumpet/ flugelhorn/Uruguay).

A number of world and Panamanian first auditions were performed by the Ensemble of Contemporary Music INAM, with Ricardo Risco as conductos, and Alvaro Angulo (cello) as soloist. To name a few: 

JIMENEZ: La Ronda Junto a la Fuente, for flute, oboe, violin, viola and  violoncello**

CONSTANTINIDES: Transformations, for clarinet solo** 

SOLEY: Duetts for clarinet and english horn*

RISCO: Soneto No. 1, for choir a cappella (Text: Octavio Paz)**

* World premiere 

** First audition in Panama 

The Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival 2014 was dedicated to Panamanian composer Fermín Castañedas del Cid. 124 students and 19 invited musicians from Panama, as well as from a great diversity of countries, including United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba participated in the eighth edition of the Festival.

A.Salieri, Concerto C major for flute and oboe; Camerata Panamá, Victor Mata (conductor), James Hall (fute),  Eurídice Alvarez (oboe)

Fermín Castañeda del Cid, “El espectro de Música” for flute and string orchestra, James Hall (flute); Camerata Panamá, Victor Mata (conductor)

José Manuel Caballero, 3 miniaturas Panameñas for small orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Jorge Ledezma Bradley (conductor)* (maybe world premiere).

Shostakovich,  Concerto No.2 for piano and orchestra in F major, Op. 102,  Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Carlos Riazuelo  (guest conductor/Venezuela), Michael Gurt (piano/USA).** 

Concert of the prestigious Faculty of the Louisiana State University:

Cheng Gang,  Butterfly Lovers Concerto,  Yung-chiao Wei (double bass), Michael Gurt (piano).**

Villa-Lobos, Sonata-Fantasy No. 1, Desesperance, Lin He (violin), Jami Gurt (piano).**

The percussion ensemble of the University of Minnesota delighted the audience with works by Bill Douglas, Leopoldo Novoa Mantalla, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, and others.**

** First audition in Panama

11 year old piano prodigy, winner of several competitions, William Chen (USA), performed a beautiful recital, and as a surprise for the audience, his teacher, Michael Thomopoulos, played along him M.Ravel “Ma mére I ́oye” for four hands. 

The last concert of the festival included the participation of the ASM Festival International Orchestra with guest conductor Carlos Riazuelo and world renown bassist Yung-chiao Wei as soloist. The program included Bottesini’s Concerto No. 2 for bass, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, and Carlos Chávez’s Toccata, for percussion ensemble.

Orchestras and Ensembles of the Festival:  Alfredo de Saint Malo International Festival Orchestra 2014, String Orchestra “Arcos” from the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal, Camerata Panama, Children’s Symphony Orchestra of the Youth School of Music, The Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama,  National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Windwood Quintet of the University of Northern Colorado, University of Minnesota Percussion Ensemble. 

Artists of the Festival: Euridice Álvarez (oboe/Honduras), Carlos Camacho (percussion/Panama), Isaac Casal (cello/Panama), Luis Casal (violin/Panama),  William Chen (piano/USA), Jamie Gurt (piano/USA), Michael Gurt (piano/USA), James Hall (flute/USA), Charles Hansen (bassoon/USA), Lacey Hays (trumpet/USA), Marian Hesse (french horn/USA),  Jorge Ledezma Bradley (conductor/Panama), Mary Ann Mumm (violin/USA), Craig Mumm (violin/USA), Lin He (viola/USA), Karina Núñez (cello/Uruguay), Yung-chiao-Wei (double bass/Taiwan), Lauren Jacobson (clarinet/USA),  Fernando Meza (percussion/USA), Carlos Riazuelo (conductor/Venezuela), Graciela Núñez (violin/Panama), Ingrith Saavedra (tuba/Panama),  Víctor Mata (conductor/Venezuela).

With the goal to incorporate more young Panamanians from the interior of the Republic, a basic-intermediate level pilot orchestra was formed at the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival. National auditions were held over the internet and selected violinists were coached over Skype. The orchestra was named the Youth Philharmonic of the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival 2013 and it played the opening concert. The guest conductor was George Matthew, (India) and the soloist – Juan Martín Etcheverri, piano (Argentina).

From the neighbour country of Costa Rica, the SINEM (Abbr. for the National Music Education System of Costa Rica) Orchestra of Alajuela honored us with their performance under the baton of their principal director Lic. Luis Armando Bogantes C., and the guest conductor, the Panamanian trumpeter Lic. Donald Quintero S.  

The Natá de los Caballeros Youth Orchestra conducted by Prof. Juan Castillo and Prof. Roderick González participated in the Festival from within the Republic.

The newly formed MetriK (Percussion Group of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Panama) appeared  for the first time at the Festival under the direction of its founder Ella Ponce. 

The brass teachers of the ASM Festival 2013 performed the world premiere of the work “Frevos” by the Brazilian / Panamanian composer Élcio Rodrigues De Sá.*

Invited by the National Concert Association, the Louisiana State University trio of strings which in 2013 was formed by renowned musicians Lin He (violin), Elias Goldstein (viola ) and Dennis Parker (cello), performed an exquisite program.

The string teachers of the ASM 2013 festival performed the world premier of, the work “Cumbia para dos amigos”* (a duet for two violins) by  Luis Enrique Casa.

At the concert of the Panamanian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jorge Ledezma Bradley, the work “Danzas de País Chiméricas”* by the Panamanian composer Jorge Bennett-Limnio had its premiere, with the sisters Ariadna Núñez and Graciela Núñez as soloists at the violin. In this same concert the renowned Colombian clarinetist Guillermo Marín also performed as a soloist.

 From Stockton, California, the Pacific Arts Woodwind Quintet of the “University of the Pacific” joined the festival as professors in residence of the woodwinds.

At the June 8 concert dedicated to contemporary music, the INAM Contemporary Music Ensemble, conducted by Ricardo Risco, offered a program commemorating the 70th anniversary of the composer Mario Lavista. This concert also featured music by the composer in residence of the AMS Festival 2013, Stephen David Beck, in which the string quartet of the teachers of the ASM Festival: Mary Ann Mumm (violin), Jorge Caldelari (violin), Craig Mumm (viola) and Juan Pablo Polanco (cello). Additionally, the INAM Santa Cecilia Choir under the direction of Ricardo Risco performed a program of Panamanian composers that included works by Jorge Ledezma Bradley, George Coulborne and the premiere in Panama of the choral work Soneto # 1 by Ricardo Risco.*

The closing concert of the festival featured the International Orchestra of the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival 2013 under the direction of the renowned Carlos Riazuelo and with the solo violist Yuval Gotlibovich, winner of the 2003 International Viola Tertis Competition. The world premiere of the work for viola and string orchestra, “Cobalt Blue, in transit”* by the Spanish composer Ramón Paus. The first audition in Panama of Paganini’s work, Sonata for the Great Viola, in the arrangement for viola and orchestra.

* World premiere 

** First audition in Panama

191 musicians performed 12 concerts during the ninth edition of the Festival. 

Orchestras and Ensembles of the Festival: INAM’s Santa Cecilia Choir, National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, SINEM Orchestra of Alajuela, Costa Rica, Youth Philharmonic of the Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival 2013, Natá de Los Caballeros Youth Orchestra, Children and Youth Philharmonics of Panama, The Orchestra of the Youth Music School, The String Orchestra “Arcos” of the San Cristóbal Episcopal Institute, Quintet Pacific Arts Woodwind, String Trio of Louisiana State University, Percussion Group of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Panama – MetriK, Orchestra International Festival Alfredo De Saint Malo 2013

Artists of the Festival: Luis Armando Bogantes C. (conductor), Jorge Ledezma Bradley (conductor), Jorge Calderali (violin/Dominican Republic, Isaac Miguel Casal (cello),  Luis Enrique Casal (violin, viola), Paola Casal (violin,viola and music therapist),  Juan Castillo (conductor), Juan Martín Etcheverry (piano),  Lin He (violin), Elias Goldstein (viola),  Yuval Gotlibovich (viola/Israel), Jory Herman (double bass), Catie Hickey (trombone), Guillermo Marín (clarinet/Uruguay),  George Mathew (conductor/India), Steven Menard (trombone), Mary Ann Mumm (violin, viola), Craig Mumm (viola), Ariadna Núñez (violin), Graciela Núñez (violin),  Karina Nuñez (cello/Uruguay), Jorge Oliva (conductor), Dennis Parker (cello), Pablo Polanco (cello/Colombia), Ella Ponce (conductor), Donald Quintero S. (conductor), Carlos Riazuelo (conductor/Argentina),Ricardo Risco (conductor), Ingrith Saavedra (tuba), Melanie Taylor (music therapist), Heather Thayer (french horn), Anna Todd (conductor), Carlos Zabala (trumpet, flugelhorn/Costa Rica), Luis Zúñiga (conductor), Ricardo Zúñiga (trumpet)

Composers: Ramón Paus (Spain), Stephen David Beck (USA), Jorge Bennett (Panama), Elcio De Sá (Panama/Brasil)

The ASM 2012 Festival was dedicated to the Panamanian composer Gonzalo Brenes. Almost all the concerts of the festival included choral, symphonic and chamber music by Gonzalo Brenes.

For the inaugural concert of the ASM 2012 Festival, as in the 2011 edition, the youth orchestras of the two most emblematic music institutions in Panama, the Youth School of Music and the National Institute of Music joined forces. This orchestra had as a guest conductor Luis Castro from Venezuela. The soloist was double bass player Bebo Shiu.

In a concert focused on highlighting the chamber music of the composer Gonzalo Brenes, the renowned pianist from the Dominican Republic, María de Fátima Geraldes, accompanied by the artists Carlos Tovar (voice / tenor), Gilberto Young (clarinet) and Euridice Álvarez ( oboe).

Several of the professors of the ASM 2012 Festival Faculty participated in the contemporary music concert. Most of the works were for an instrument solo, by composers from different parts of the world that were heard in Panama for the first time. Within the range of styles presented, the work “3 Oraciones Marianas”* by Ricardo Risco had the world premiere. 

In this festival, the world premiere of the work of the Puerto Rican composer Jorge A. Figueroa, “Imaginando” for violin, viola and indigenous percussion, was made. The piece was dedicated to those who premiered George Figueroa (violin) and Luis Casal (viola).

Highlighting the figure of the composer Gonzalo Brenes, the Panama Polyphonic Choir led by Electra Castillo, presented an exclusive program of works and arrangements by Gonzalo Brenes.

Category Five Woodwind Quintet of the University of Southern Mississippi, presented a versatile program that included in its repertoire the first audition of the work “Curundú” by the Panamanian composer Néstor Castillo.* The concert was possible thanks to the National Concert Association. 

The ASM 2012 Festival held the residence of the Camerata Alfredo De Saint Malo which offered two concerts with a different repertoire featuring Mette Jensen (violin), Anna Wortmann (violin), Carlos Manuel Zabala (trumpet), José Aurelio Castillo (violin), Mary Ann Mumm (violin) and Craig Mumm (viola) as soloists. Among the vast repertoire played by the Camerata ASM, included “Classical Salsa” for the string orchestra Jorge A. Figueroa. *

Sponsored by the United States Embassy in Panama, the Percussion Group of Sam Houston State University performed at the Festival under the direction of John Lane. This group invited as soloists the trumpeter Amanda Pepping and the cellist Isaac Casal.

The National Symphony Orchestra of Panama under the direction of Jorge Ledezma Bradley presented the well-known work of Gonzalo Brenes “La Cucarachita Mandinga” which was narrated for this occasion by the ex-vice mayor of Panama, Raisa Bainfield. The program included Beethoven’s concerto for piano and orchestra No. 5 with the masterful participation of the Dutch pianist Roderigo Robles de Medina.

In a concert that highlighted different ensembles of the Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival Orchestra 2012, the brass section made the world premiere of two works by the composer Alejandro Guardia, “Songs without words” and “Excursion”*.

At the closing concert of the Festival the Panamanian audience could enjoy the performance of the Alfredo de Saint Malo 2012 Festival Orchestra which was made up of students from Germany, Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela conducted by Darwin Aquino and the guest soloist, renowned artist Rachel Barton Pine who played Jean Sibelius’ concerto for violin and orchestra.

Orchestras and Ensembles of the Festival: National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, The Youth Orchestras of Panama, Children’s Orchestra of the Youth School of Music, The String Orchestra of the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal, INACHI Orchestra (Chiriqui), The Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival Orchestra 2012, Polyphonic Choir of Panama, Woodwind Quintet Category 5, Sam Houston State University Percussion Group. 

Artists of the Festival: Eurídice Álvarez (oboe), Darwin Aquino (conductor), Raisa Bainfield (narrator), Luis Darío Baracaldo (violin),  Rachel Barton Pine (violin),Lucrecia Basaldúa (cello), Benita Beneitez (violin), Jorge Ledezma Bradley (conductor), Carlos Camacho (percussion) Isaac Casal (cello), Luis Casal (violin, viola), Luis Castro (conductor), José Aurelio Castillo (violin), María de Fátima Geraldes (piano), George Figueroa (violin), Jonathan Holden (clarinete), Nick Huneycutt (percussion), Mette Jensen (violin), Timothy Lacrosse (viola), John Lane (conductor, percussion), Sevy de Leon (percussion), Heidi Lucas (viola,violin), Danilo Mezzadri (flute), Craig Mumm (viola), Mary Ann Mumm (violin), Graciela Núñez (violin), Amanda Pepping (trumpet), Pablo Polanco (cello), Ella Ponce (percussion),  Juan  Josue Ramírez (double bass), Rodrigo Robles de Medina (piano), Bebo Shiu (double bass), Carlos Tovar (tenor), Kim Woolly (bassoon), Anna Wortmann (violin), Gilberto Young (clarinet), Carlos Manuel Zabala (trumpet),  Ricardo Zuñiga (double bass). 

The ASM 2011 Festival was dedicated to Narciso Garay Díaz (1876-1953) Panamanian folklorist, composer, educator and diplomat. It is worth mentioning that works by Eduardo Charpentier Herrera, Roque Cordero were performed and the Chamber Music Group Clarinón included the Vespertino Colonense by Reginald Prescott in their concert.

The opening concert was given by the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama and conducted by Jorge Ledezma Bradley. The first work on the program was an orchestral composition by Narciso Garay, Marcha Patriótica followed by Beethoven’s Concerto no.5 for piano and orchestra, with the Colombian piano soloist Alberto Peña. Thanks to the sponsorship of the German Embassy, ​​this first concert of the Festival concluded with the III and IV movements of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the German soloists Uta von Willert (soprano), Ulrike Bartsch (alto), David Hamilton (tenor), Michael Junge (baritone). For this great finale there was a union of choral forces: Live Music Choir, Jorge Ledezma (director), Polyphonic Choir of Panama, Electra Castillo (director), Santa Cecilia Choir of the National Institute of Music, Ricardo Risco (director).

The Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra brought about the participation of the double bass player Maurico Daza, who joined the festival’s faculty. This was the first collaboration between this renowned Colombian orchestra and the ASM Festival. Musicians from the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra of the Arts, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra from the Teatro Colón, the National Symphony Orchestra from the Dominican Republic and the EAFID University from Colombia also joined the faculty.

With guest musicians from Panama, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Argentina, Germany, and Uruguay, the Camerata Alfredo de Saint Malo formed in 2008 made its first appearance at the ASM Festival.

Beethoven’s Sonata No. 9 “Kreutzer” performed by Kenneth Sarch (violin) and David Viscoli (piano), opened one of the concerts, and subsequently the pianists Daniel Rieppel and David Viscoli played a program that in addition to Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances included the 1954 Duet of the Panamanian composer Roque Cordero.

For this ASM 2011 Festival the youth orchestras of the two most emblematic music institutions in Panama, the Youth School of Music and the National Institute of Music joined forces. This orchestra was directed by the Dominican Republic artist, Darwin Aquino.

As a result of the investigation by the Panamanian harpsichordist and researcher, Dr. Julieta Alvarado, and as a tribute to Narciso Garay, many of his works were performed, which perhaps had not been played for a century, and just have been dusted off. Lieder presque Romances for mezzo-soprano and piano (Paris, 1900 -1902), Fantasy in the form of a sonata for solo piano (Paris, 1903), Sonata for violin and piano (London, 1901), Panamanian Suite for violin and piano (Panama , 1934). The concert featured Kenneth Sarch (violin), Daniel Rieppel (piano), Patricia Kent (mezzo-soprano), Efraín González (mejoranera and socavón) and Ricaurte Villarreal, Tambores de Panamá.

Advanced Camerata of the National Institute of Music of Costa Rica under its Director, José Aurelio Castillo participated in the ASM 2011 Festival playing a repertoire that in addition to including Vivaldi and Britten included two works by Costa Rican composers, Improvisation for strings by Benjamín Gutiérrez and Portrait V for Eddie Mora strings.

In a concert sponsored by the National Concert Association of Panama, the cellist Andrés Díaz performed the Panamanian premiere of the work Rhapsody, for cello solo (2005) by Xi Wang**. In this same concert the string professors of the 2011 ASM Festival José Aurelio Castillo (violin), Mary Ann Mumm (violin), Carlos Guadarrama (viola) and Javier Arias (cello) offered the first performance of the Fugue instrumentale (on a J.S.Bach theme) for the string quartet of Narciso Garay Díaz.* This work was partially reconstructed from the existing manuscripts.

The closing concert of the festival featured Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival Orchestra 2011 under the button of the Argentinian concert pianist and conductor Darío Ntaca. The gala soloist was the cellist Andrés Díaz who majestically performed the concerto for cello and orchestra no. 1 in A minor from Camille Saint-Saëns. The program concluded with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27, which we believe was the first time it was played in Panama and if we were wrong, we believe it has not been played since the 1950s.**

* World premiere 

** First audition in Panama

Ensembles and orchestras of the festival: National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, combined youth orchestras of the National Institute of Music and the Youth School of Music of Panama, Brass Wind Quintet Les Femmes Five, Grupo Saltimbanquis, Camerata Avanzada of the National Institute of Music of Costa Rica, Camerata ASM 2011, Woodwind Quintet Pacific Arts, Grupo Música de Cámara Clarinón, The Festival Orchestra ASM 2011 

Artists of the festival: Darwin Aquino (violin, conductor/Dominican Republic), Alberto Peña (piano/Colombia),  Daniel Rieppel (piano/USA), David Viscoli (piano/USA), Kenneth Sarch (violin/USA), Daniel Rieppel (piano/USA), Patricia Kent (mezzo-soprano/USA), Lacey Hays (trumpet/USA), Mikki Gramoll Skinner (trumpet/USA), Heather Thayer (french horn/USA), Catie Hickey (trombone/USA), Ingrith Saavedra (tuba/Panama), Lizi Rodríguez (kazoo, voice soprano, percussion/Panama), Mireya Salas (flutes, psaltery, voice, percussion/Panama), Teresa Toro (guitar, voice, percussion/Panama), Margarita Troetsch (keyboard, voice, percussion/Panama)Darwin Aquino (violin/Dominican Republic), Emilio Argento (viola/Germany, Argentina),  Isaac Casal (cello/Panama), Luis Casal (violin/Panama), Paola Casal (violin/Panama), Angel Díaz Duarte (violin/Panama), Diomedes Díaz (violin/Panama), George Figueroa (violin/USA), José Antonio Fiumara (violin/Panamá), Roberto Florez (contrabajo/Panamá), Nicolás Giordano Pisano (violin/Uruguay), Astrid Lucía Jerez Rodríguez (viola/Colombia), Graciela Núñez (violin/Panama), Juan Pablo Polanco (cello/Dominican Republic), Esteban Prentki (violin/Uruguay), Fernando Correa (percussion,timpani/Mexico),  Efraín Castro, Javier Arias (cello/ Mexico), José Aurelio Castillo (violin/Costa Rica), Mauricio Daza (double bass/Colombia), Andrés Díaz (cello/Chile, USA). Carlos Guadarrama (viola/Mexico) , Mary Ann Mumm (violin/USA), Irena Sylva (soprano) Juan Pomares (tenor), Alfonso Baysa (tenor), Diana Durán (soprano), Elisa Troetsch (soprano) Yaisury Rodriguez (soprano), Edric Echevers (baritone), Moises Guevara (baritone), Dario A. Ntaca (conductor/Argentina), Andrés Día (cello/Chile, USA).

The opening concert of the 2010 festival was a collaboration in which the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama (OSN), The Choir Santa Cecilia of the National School of Music Narciso Garay,  Children’s Choir of the National School of Music Narciso Garay, Ricardo Risco (director), the Choir Musica Viva and Jorge Ledezma Bradley (director) joined their forces to perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The soloists were the Americans Suzanne Ramo (soprano), Joseph Crabtree (baritone), and the Panamanian Moisés Castillo (contratenor). The additional repertoire included Mozart’s concerto for oboe performed by Juan Castillo and the world premiere of the work ‘Poliptico’, for symphonic orchestra, by the Panamanian composer Andrés Carrizo.*

The Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Samuel Robles presented a program that included works by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Haydn. The violin soloists were The American Tracy Wu and the Panamanian Nestor Ibarra. Moreover, the young Venezuelan artist, Miguel Angel Cegarra fascinated the public with his performance of the concerto for cello no. 1 in Haydn’s C major.

A children’s concert featured three youth orchestras from the capital, the Orchestra of the Youth School of Music, The String Orchestra of the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal and the Aguas de ‘El Chorrillo Youth Orchestra’ of FUNSINCOPA.

The String Orchestra of the Veracruz State Youth Symphony Orchestra from Mexico under the direction of Antonio Tornero joined the Festival performing Mexican composers Manuel Ponce and Carlos Jiménez Mabarak. These works were first heard in Panama.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Hugo Wolf, The Clarinón Chamber Music Group presented a programme that included his song “Gebet”. Furthermore they performed the Concerto for clarinet and viola in E minor, Op.88 by Max Bruch, orchestrated specifically for them, this being the Panamanian premiere.**

Chamber music concerts included performances of: Alumni of the Orchestra of the Americas in conjunction with Panamanian musicians and woodwind professors from the 2010 ASM Festival, Pacific Arts Wind Quintet at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Mathew Krejci (flute), Thomas Nugent (oboe), Patricia Shands (clarinet), Nicolasa Kuster (bassoon), Jennie Blomster (French horn); works by R. Caviani, Claude-Paul Taffanel, R.Turek and M.Arnold. Most of these works were played  in Panama for the first time.**

Sponsored by the Swiss Embassy in Costa Rica The Dorian Consort formed by Eva Amsler (flute) and Shalev Ad-El (clavecín) gave a “Baroque Night” concert at the Anita Villalaz Theatre. The program included works by G. Ph. Telemann, Max E. Keller, A. Corelli, Matthias Zieler, Carl P. E. Bach, J. S. Bach and Peter Mieg.** Most of these works were first presented in Panama. It is worth mentioning that there are very few hapshicords in Panama. The one used that night was generously offered by Ing. Jaime Vasquez.

A concert sponsored by the Italian Embassy in Panama offered a repertoire highlighting Arias and Duets of the Italian Opera. The concert featured OSN of Panama, Giovanni Battista Mazza (guest director), the Panama Opera Foundation (newly founded in 2008) and the children’s choirs of the Brader College and the Enrico Fermi Italian Institute. 

In a solo program pianist David Viscoli played Beethoven’s piano sonatas. 1, 2 and 29, and violinist Rachel Barton Pine played the Panamanian Rhapsody for Violin (1988) by Roque Cordero.

Faculty members of the  2010 ASM Festival José Aurelio Castillo (violin), Mary Ann Mumm (violin), Craig Mumm (viola), Marilyn De Oliveira (cello) and Trevor Fitzpatrick (cello) presented a program that included Schubert’s quintet for two cellos** (it may have been the first audition in Panama but we’re not entirely sure) and the world premiere of a long forgotten work by the Panamanian composer Edgardo Quintero, Scholastic Leak (1965).* 

In a concert that included teachers of the 2010 ASM Festival in collaboration with the National Ballet of Panama, the premiere in Panama of the “The Soldier’s Talea” by  Igor Stravinsky** and the world premiere of Napgwana (Mother Earth), choreography by Diguar Sapi and original music by Élcio Rodrigues de Sá.* This concert featured: Ricardo Risco (guest conductor), Diguar Sapi (choreographer), Carlos Rampolla (narrator), Luis Casal (violin), Roberto Florez (bass), Lacey Hays (trumpet), Catie Hickey (trombone), Nicholasa Kuster (fagot), Patricia Shands, (clarinet) and Ella Ponce (percussion). Dancers: Carolina Figuereido, José A. Villamil, Iván Herazo, Carla Lozano, Eyleen Frazer, Orianna Herrera and Carla Barsallo.

The 2010 Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival Orchestra was the protagonist of the closing concert dedicated to Roque Cordero and Fernando Eleta Casanova. George Mathew (India/USA) was the guest conductor  and the repertoire included the Panamanian premiere of the works Sensemayá de Revueltas, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, and Roque Cordero’s violin and orchestra concerto that was masterfully performed by soloist Rachel Barton Pine.**

*World premiere 

** First audition in Panama

For the III Alfredo Festival of Saint Malo, FUNSINCOPA established and held in Panama the Competition of Trumpet Victor “Vitín” Paz. 

In addition to singing, orchestral direction, guitar, piano, trumpet, viola, violin and cello masterclasses, there were also folk workshops, music therapy presentations, lectures on violin and viola pedagogy and two autobiographical speeches by Panamanian composers Edgardo Quintero and Fermín Castañedas.

The opening concert was conducted by the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama (OSN) under the direction of Jorge Ledezma Bradley with American pianist David Viscoli and the Panamanian mezzo soprano residing in Spain, María Cecilia Prado as soloists. 

The repertoire included Franz Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G major, for which four national choral groups joined forces: Coro Música Viva, Coro Polifónica de Panamá, Coro Santa Cecilia de la Escuela Narciso Garay and CANTUS Panama. The soloists for the Mass were the Panamanians Cecilia Herrera (soprano), Ulises Athanasiadis (tenor) and Edric Echevers (bass). María Cecilia sang a beautiful Arias program that mostly had their first audition in Panama: “Voce di donna” by La Gioconda, Amilcare Ponchielli, “Je vous ecris de ma petite chambre” by Werther, Jules Massenet, “Amour! viens aider ma faiblesse!” by Samson et Dalila, Camille Saint-Saens and Il Trovatore’s “Stride la vampa!” 3 by Beethoven.

The Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Samuel Robles and César Castillo Thompson, offered a program that included the Symphony no. 7 by Beethoven and the Spanish Symphony of Edouard Lalo performed by the Panamanian violinist Graciela Núñez. 

Saturday, May 30 was dedicated youth orchestras and national chamber music groups. On this day we could listen to the Aguas del Chorrillo Children’s Orchestra, The Initiation Orchestra of the Youth School of Music and the String Orchestra of the Episcopal Institute San Cristóbal. The national chamber groups that participated were the ‘Cerrud’ Clarinet Quartet, the Clarinón Chamber Music Group and the Saltimbanquis Group.

The concert on Sunday, May 31 in the Plaza Catedral highlighted the national ensambles: The Republican Band, the Municipal Band, the Fire Band, the Band of the Moisés Castillo College, the Pedro Pablo Sánchez High School Band. There was also a surprise last-minute appearance of the Ship’s Band Hospital USNS Comfort.

Camerata of Guatemala, the string ensemble from the sister Republic of Guatemala under the direction of Darío Ntaca, with Panamanian oboist Vladimir Escala as soloist, played a beautiful program the concerto for oboe de Cimarosa. 

Italian Embassy in Panama sponsored a concert highlighting the great music of Italian cinema. The soloists were the renowned Italian trumpeter Mauro Maur, accompanied by pianist Francoise de Clossey. They performed pieces by E. Morricone, P. Piccioni and N. Rota.

In a program that included chamber groups from the Orchestra of the Americas and guests, we could enjoy the performance of Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2, and works for Dukas winds and the first audition in Panama of James Barnes’ bronze quintet.** The concert featured following artists: Erasmo Solerti (violin), Rafael Bethancour (violin) , Timothy LaCrosse (viola), Isaac Casal (cello), Lacey Hays (trumpet), Mikki Skinner (trumpet), Marisol Tara (bassoon), Dusty Higgins (trombone), Dayana Morales (french horn) and Ingrith Saavedra (tuba).

The string teachers of the Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival 2009 played a beautiful program that included the Quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello No.4 in Mozart’s K. 516 and Teresa Carreño’s String Quartet in B minor.** The participating artists were José Aurelio (Castle violin), Mary Ann Mumm (violin) , Craig Mumm (viola), Keith Robinson (cello) and guest Luis Casal (viola).

In a shared recital, Panamanian pianist Tanya Aparicio and Panamanian tubist Ingrith Saavedra offered a novel recital. The pianist Aparicio included in his program works by Mozart, Chopin, Ginasteras and a movement (La Denesa) of the work ‘Three Panamanian Dances’ by Andrés Carrizo. The tubist Saavedra included works that, with the exception of Vaughan Williams’ concerto, were first heard in Panama: transcription for tuba and piano of the Concerto for bass tuba and orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Duet for Tuba and Violin by Peter Schickele, Adagio of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Limpid Stream and Alec Wilder’s Effie Suite for Tuba and Piano.**

The duo of the Panamanian pianists Margarita and Luis Troetsch offered a program which highlighted Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn as well as Latin American and Panamanian composer Eduardo Charpentier de Castro and his work Tres Estampas para dos pianos (1961).

The Festival held two concerts on Saturday, June 6. A morning concert by Ricaurte Villarreal and Tambores Panama and an evening concert by national groups. The participating groups were Zephyr, the Mixturas Ensemble, the Quintet Vivace and the Big Band Vitín Paz.

The 2009 Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival Orchestra under the baton of Dario Ntaca offered a concert that included Giuseppe Verdi’s Obertura I Vespri Siciliani, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4 and the Cello and Orchestra Concerto in Haydn’s C major masterfully played by guest soloist Keith Robinson.

Sponsored by the National Concert Association, the closing concert of the festival featured the performance of the Brazilian Guitar Duo, winners in 2006 of the International Concert Artists Guild Competition.

*World premiere 

** First audition in Panama

The Alfredo de Saint Malo Music Festival held musical and educational performances in different theaters, educational institutions and museums in Panama City. Among the vast number of international artists we welcomed members of the Baylor University School of Music (Texas), University of Penn State (Pennsylvania), Paquito D’Rivera, Brenda Feliciano, Misha Dadic, Tim Deighton, Anna Noggle and the Orchestra of the Americas under the direction of Carlos Miguel Prieto.

The National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) of Panama offered two concerts. The first program under the direction of its chief conductor Jorge Ledezma Bradley included Beethoven’s triple concerto for violin, cello, piano and orchestra, Op. 56. with Panamanian soloists Isaac Casal (cello), Luis Casal (violin) and Victor Soto (piano). According to our research this was the first time Beethoven’s triple concerto was played in Panama.**

The second program of the OSN of Panama under the direction of Ricardo Risco included The Concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra in F sharp minor Op. 1 by Rachmaninov. The soloist Misha Dacic earned a loud ovation from the audience for his magnificent performance. According to our investigation this was the first time this piece was performed in Panama.**

The Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Samuel Robles and César Castillo Thompson also had two performances. In one of them, in addition to works by Saint-Saens, Elgar and Mussorgsky/Rimsky-Korsakov, the program also included pieces by the Panamanian composer Alberto Galimany. 

The second performance of the Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra was a concert dedicated to Carlos Miguel Prieto. The orchestra was shown performing pieces by Ginasteras and the always danceable Danzón No. 2 by Marquez. The guest artist was the American soprano Anna Noggle, who sang arias by Bizet, Floyd, Rachmaninov and Bernstein leaving the audience impressed by her admirable voice and performance. The arias “Glitter and Be Gay” from Bernstein’s candide and “Ain’t a pretty night!” by Carl Floyd’s Susannah performed in Panama for the first time.**

The national chamber music groups Cuarteto Cerrud, Quinteto Vivace, Grupo, Guitars Tetracorde, Grupo Música Chamber Clarinón and the Mixturas Chamber Group delighted us with a colorful and varied repertoire. For example, Tetracorde Guitars included in his presentation arrangements of works by Piazzolla and Leo Brouwer. The Clarinón Chamber Group included an arrangement of Carl Stamitz’s Concerto in D major for viola performed beautifully by the violist Ariadna Núñez and the Panamanian Punto  “Generosa” (“Earth – Woman”) by the composer Rómulo Cástro.

Renowned New Zealand violist Timothy Deighton gave a beautiful recital at the Museum of Contemporary Art accompanied by Panamanian pianists Tanya Aparicio and María Inés Rodríguez and Panamanian violinist Graciela Núñez. The repertoire included one of J. S. Bach’s sonatas for viola de gamba and harpsichord, first movement of Rebecca Clarke’s sonata for viola and piano, Martin Lodge’s Cadenza, All soul’s day by Franz Schubert (Primrose’s arrangement)**, and Michel Kimber’s Duo for violin and viola.*

Three ensembles including renowned artists represented the faculty of the Baylor University: the Baylor Piano Trio, the Baylor WoodWind Quintet and the Baylor Metal Wind Quintet. Baylor’s Piano Trio played a masterful concert that concluded with the Trio in Ravel’s La menor.  Baylor’s WoodWind Quintet played a fairly contemporary and attractive repertoire that highlighted composers R. Bennet, Blumer, Arnold and Adams. The Metal Wind Quintet played a program with works by well-known composers such as Bach, Albinoni and Gershwin and three pieces by Collier Jones, Richard Willis and Herbert Haufrecht (presumably the first audition in Panama).**

On Wednesday, June 4, renowned artist Paquito D’Rivera performed at the National Theatre along with his Jazz Quintett and The Orchestra of the Americas, celebrating his 60th birthday. It was an amusing and entertaining night filled not only with the incredible talent and jazz music of Master D’Rivera but also with his light hearted humour. The evening became even more friendly to the Panamanian audience when at the end of the concert, as a surprise, the Panamanian artist Danilo Pérez entered the stage. Danilo Pérez, together with a fellow saxophonist from the Danilo Pérez Foundation, performed el pasillo  “El Suspiro de una fea” as a birthday present for maestro D’Rivera. 

In a concert sponsored by the National Concert Association, The Orchestra of the Americas, under the direction of Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto, performed a gala concert. The repertoire included “Homage to Federico García Lorca” by Silvestre Revueltas, Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella” Suite and Symphony No. 9 in my minor “Del Nuevo Mundo” by Antonín Dvořák. The final performance of the Orchestra of the Americas was the closing concert of the II Alfredo De Saint Malo Festival. Together with Paquito D’Rivera, his quintet and the great soprano Brenda Feliciano they performed works by Gershwin, Lecuona, arrangements by the Mr. D’Rivera and his two original compositions, Danzón (Memories) and Wapango.**

*World premiere 

** First audition in Panama 

Ensembles and orchestras of the Festival: 

Orchestra of the Americas, National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra, Panama Polyphonic Choir, Baylor Brass Quintet [Dr. David Graves (tuba), Dr. Thomas Madejas (trumpet), Dr. Brent Phillips (trombone), Dr. Jeffrey Powers (French horn), Dr. Wiff Rudd (trumpet), Baylor Piano Trio [Noel Martin (violin), Gary Hardie (cello), Vincent DeVries (piano)], Baylor Wood Quintwindet [Helen Ann Shanley (flute), Richard Shanley (clarinet), Doris DeLoach (oboe), Matthew Morris (bassoon), Jeffrey Powers (French horn)], Cerrud Clarinet Quartet (Reinaldo Alvarez, César Castillo C., Juan Ureta, Jorge Oliva), Mixturas Group [Ella Ponce (vibraphone), Viviana Soto (violin), Yumiko Tokumoto (cello), Alfredo Hidrovo (drums-percussion), Carlos Quirós (drums-percussion),Bajo], Clarinón Chamber Music Group [Ariadna Gisela Núñez Pineda (violin), Carmen De Guadalupe Small Adams (clarinet), Benedicta Esther Jiménez Vergara (contralto voice and clarinet) ,Sis María Tejada Jiménez (clarinet), Liliana L. Valdés Herrera (clarinet), Matías Padilla Checa (bass clarinet), Alexis Dixon (special percussion-guest)], Quinteto Vivace [Isaac Reyes Pertúz (clarinet), Valentín Martínez (flute), Kevin Tiboche (oboe), Daniel Agudo (bassogot) and Roger Lacayo (corno)], Tetracorde Guitars (Teresa Toro, Alexander Herzfeld, Olmedo Cruvelier, David Cama. 

Members of Paquito D’Rivera’s quintet: Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Diego Urcola (trumpet/trombone), Mark Walter (percussion), Alex Brown (piano).

Artists of the festival: Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet/saxophone), Carlos Miguel Prieto (director), Jorge Ledezma Bradley (director), Electra Isabel Castillo (choir director), Ricardo Risco (director), Samuel Robles (director), César Castillo Thompson (director), Misha Dacic (piano), Tanya Aparicio (piano), Maria Ines Rodriguez (piano), Victor Soto (piano), Tim Deighton (viola), Luis Casal (violin), Graciela Núñez (violin), Isaac Casal (cello), Brenda Feliciano (soprano), Anna Noggle (soprano).

The opening concert of the I Alfredo de Saint Malo Music Festival began with the presentation of violinist Graciela Núñez performing the Panamanian Rhapsody solo work of the great composer Roque Cordero.**

Both the Panama Polyphonic Choir and the national chamber groups that participated in this festival included in their repertoire pieces that highlighted the Latin American composer. The Polyphonic Choir under the direction of Electra Castillo performed works by Verdi, Franck and Gounod as well as pieces by Brenes, Fábrega and R. Prescott. The Tetracorde guitar quartet performed works by Bach, Boccherini and Albéniz and further highlighted the work of Cuban composer and guitarist Leo Brouwer. The Quinteto Vivace (quintet of woodwinds) played works by Scarlatti, Ferenc Farkas and also Mariano Mores (Argentina), Benjamín Gutiérrez and Vinicio Meza (Costa Rican) and the Avelino Muñoz (Panama). The Mixturas Chamber Group’ s repertoire incorporated works of Bartók, Danilo Pérez and the world premiere of the piece “Lilie” by the Costa Rican composer and saxophonist Gerardo “Lalo” Rojas.*

Panamanian artists residing in the United States, Luis Casal and Víctor Soto, joined forces and played a recital that included the Sonata in B flat major for viola and piano op. 36 by Vieuxtemps. We have no record that this work of the standard repertoire of the viola has been previously played in Panama so we allow ourselves to say that this was his first audition in Panama (performed by national artists).** 

The first collaboration that occurred within the framework of the ASM Festival between the national artist and the foreign artist was a recital in which the Dusty Higgins (trombone) and Lacey Hays (trumpet) from United States performed along with María Inés Rodríguez (piano) form Panama. The repertoire included mostly the twentieth century compositions. We do not know for certain whether these were played for the first time in Panama but surely they showed a great display of virtuosity and technical capabilities for trumpet and trombone. 

The festival’s audience could enjoy the performances of Sonata in D for trumpet and piano by Giuseppe Torelli, Concerto for trombone by Launy Grundahl, Intrada for trumpet in C by Arthur Honegger, Concertino op. 45 no. 7 for trombone by Lars-Erik Larsson, Mont Saint-Michel for fliscorno by Geoffrey Robbins and Cousins (duo for trumpet and trombone) by Herbert L. Clarke.**

Under the patronage of Baylor University, two chamber groups participated in the ASM Festival representing the renowned faculty of this university. Baylor’s WoodWind Quintet of Doris DeLoach (oboe), Helen Ann Shanley (flute), Richard Shanley (clarinet), Jeffrey Powers (French horn) and Mathew Morris (basso) played an exciting program with works by Ibert, Theodor Blumer, Frigyes Hidas, Richard Willis and Charles Rochester Young. The Baylor University Piano Trio consisting of Noel Martin (violin), Vincent DeVries (piano) and Gary Hardie (cello) played a skiing program that included trios by Beethoven, Brahms and Schoenfield. 

At a gala concert of the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama conducted by Ricardo Risco Cortés, Isaac Casal, the founder and artistic director of the Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival performed Elgar’s concerto for cello and orchestra. This concert has been played in Panama by international soloists but according to our sources this was probably the first time that the work was played in Panama by a Panamanian.

The closing concert of the festival highlighted the young musicians from the Istmeña Youth Symphony Orchestra with conductors Samuel Robles and César Castillo Thompson. In the crowded scenery of the Church of Santa Marta they presented an energetic program that included music by the Panamanian composer Edgardo Quintero and ended with Tchaikovsky. 

The Saint Malo Family, one of the sponsors of the Festival was highly grateful that the Festival was named after Alfredo de Saint-Malo, the Panamanian violinist who first achieved international renown. In appreciation, the Saint-Malo family hosted a celebration on Thursday, May 24 before the opening activities of the festival, inviting members of the organizing committee of the festival and some Panamanian artists.

*World premiere 

** First audition in Panama