Gabriela Ortiz
Téenek — Invenciones de Territorio
for orchestra
About the work
Téenek is the language spoken in the Huasteca region of Mexico, and means "local man," evoking belonging and a human's relationship with the world around them. Téenek - Ivenciones de territorio alludes to a future free of borders, where our differences and diversity are recognized as our strength, and otherness is a reminder of our mutual belonging to the world and each other.
SPECS
Duration:
12'
Instrumentation:
piccolo, 3 flutes (3rd = alto flute, piccolo), 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, bongos, chimes, 2 claves, 3 cowbells, crotales, glockenspiel, güiro, jaw bone or vibraslap, maracas, marimba, snare drum, 3 suspended cymbals, tam-tam, 3 Thai nipple gongs, 2 timbales, triangle, vibraphone, xylophone), harp, celesta, piano, and strings
BACKGROUND
Date of composition:
2017
Commissionner:
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Performances:
Premiere: Los Angeles Philharmonic performance: October 12, 2017, Gustavo Dudamel conducting
The LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel performed this piece for their London tour in 2019.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Two Latin Grammy nominated Gabriela Ortiz is one of the foremost composers in Mexico today, and one of the most vibrant musicians emerging in the international scene. Her musical language achieves an extraordinary and expressive synthesis of tradition and the avant-garde; combining high art, folk music and jazz in novel, frequently refined and always personal ways. Her compositions are credited for being both entertaining and immediate as well as profound and sophisticated; she achieves a balance between highly organized structure and improvisatory spontaneity. Although based in Mexico, her music is commissioned and performed all over the world.