Renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will come to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra to perform “Fandango” in January.
“Fandango” comes to Wisconsin after performances around the globe. The piece was written by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez commissioned for Meyers. The concerto received worldwide critical acclaim and most recently won two awards — one at the 2024 Latin Grammy for “Best Contemporary Classical Composition” and also “Best Classical Album” for its recording at the LA Philharmonic.
The piece is regarded for its strenuousness to perform, requiring extreme dexterity from the violinist. It takes heavy inspiration from Márquez’s admiration for his father who was a mariachi violinist.
Meyers first approached Márquez after she heard “Danazon No. 2” in 2018. Her love for mariachi was reignited and she knew she needed to speak with Márquez.
“She really wanted to commission something that was building bridges between cultures and also something that was just really exciting and invigorating to audiences across the country,” said Michelle Zarco, Meyer’s agent. ”She wrote to him in 2018. Marquez lives quietly in a small village in Mexico. He did not respond very quickly, and it was a little bit hard to reach him.”
Márquez’s reclusiveness didn’t stop Meyers. Once she got a response from him, Meyers decided to book a flight to speak with Márquez instead of waiting. The two happened to be on similar wavelengths, Zarco said, and he ultimately decided to write the piece based on a previous violin concerto.
“Fandango” consists of three songs — or movements. “Tropical Folia”, “Pelegria” “Fandanguito” presents high intensity and emotion with heavy mariachi-esque sounds as Meyers plays her solo part accompanied by an orchestra.
“Fandango” will come to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra on January 24, 2025, starting at 7:30 at the Capitol Theater, 201 State St. Tickets are currently on sale.
