Composer Ricardo Lorenz brings together two musical traditions

Ricardo Lorenz’s first composition, written at age 12, was extremely simple. “Just two chords, jumping back and forth,” he says with a laugh. “I got such a kick out of it.” Now, after more than 25 years as a composer, Venezuelan-born Lorenz, PhD’99, not only creates large-scale works for multi-instrument groups, but he also harmonizes two musical worlds: classical and Latin American. More>

Your world, on shuffle

Get down. Listen up. Get down. How’s that for a history of Western music in six words? It’s also a neat preview of Michigan State University composer Ricardo Lorenz’ massive Latinsymphonic collision piece “Rumba Sinfonica.”For years, two men dreamed of a taboo liaison between full symphony orchestra and Latin dance machine: Lorenz and Jorge Gomez, founder of Grammy-winning Latin combo Tiempo Libre.Their dream comes alive Thursday...

New Viola Concerto in collaboration with Roberto Díaz

Ricardo Lorenz received a 2008 Michigan State University Intramural Grant (IRGP) from the Vice President's Office for Research to compose a concerto for viola in collaboration with Roberto Díaz, former principal violist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and current President of the Curtis Institute of Music. The concerto is to be premiered by Mr. Díaz and the MSU Symphony Orchestra during the fall of 2010. Watch Roberto Diaz on youtube

Selected Reviews

"Ricardo Lorenz's 'Bachangó' translates the rhythmic tradition of the black Caribbean into steely pianistic bravura." Bernard Holland, THE NEW YORK TIMES "Its appeal is atmospheric, evoking visceral responses to layer upon layer of divergent rhythms and quixotic melodic lines that fit together with jigsaw puzzle perfection." Diane Windeler, SAN ANTONIO LIGHT "Ricardo Lorenz proved his mastery of large forces in his Concierto para Orquesta." Tim...