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MOBILI is an album that records, for the first time, a collection of works for viola and piano by Chilean composers, chronicling five decades of music. The CD was released by New Focus Recordings in October 2020. It was a KUSC/KDFC Brian Lauritzen pick for favorite album of the year, and WQXR hailed it as "expertly played" and "worthy of attention". You can buy a physical copy here, here, or here, or listen to it digitally here, or here.
This work was made in honor of Juan Orrego Salas's centennial and now serves to remember his legacy. |
“One of my favorite discoveries of the year...Al fondo de me lejanía se asoma tu casa is a moment of sheer beauty and calm in what has been a turbulent and
uncertain year.”
—KUSC / KDFC, Brian Lauritzen
"A soloist shot through with eloquence...offers playing of strong character, integrity, and clearly possesses 360-degree technical command".
— Fanfare, Colin Clarke
"Expertly played, the music guides you through the listening experience... Mobili brings me to a world I have never been to, and takes me around, showing me something new. That’s what this album is—something new. And it is worthy of attention."
—WQXR
"Fine playing of introspective and quite atmospheric music that really exploits the viola’s sonority to the full, results in an excellent CD."
—WholeNote Magazine
"Absolutamente invaluable. Esta primera compilación de música chilena para viola presenta de la mejor manera al medio discográfico internacional cinco obras nunca antes grabadas y un dúo de extraordinarias intérpretes." ("Absolutely priceless. This first compilation of Chilean music for viola introduces, in the best possible way, five previously unrecorded works and a duo of extraordinary performers to the international recording stage")
—Reporte Elgueta | SIMUC
"From the stunning cover art and well-written liner notes, crafted by Rossi, to the music within, this is a treasure-trove for anyone who loves the deep, rich sound of the viola... Cheng's strong playing coupled with Rossi's lush tone summons the emotion of the text.... [Mobili] is an exquisite closing to a remarkable collection."
—CVNC Arts Journal
“Wow. So many wows.”
—Julia Figueras, WXXI
“[Georgina Isabel Rossi is] extraordinarily in tune and crystal clear with her
interpretation”
— Elisabetta Brusa, composer
"A startling new recording... guaranteed to make you sit up and listen with newly attentive ears....Rossi plays with clear, unforced tone across the entire dynamic and tonal range of her instrument, creating fascinating variety of sound in a program which might --in other hands-- end up being too much of the same thing. Cheng creates a diverse, subtly varied array of sounds and textures on the piano, again avoiding any suspicion of routine."
—Large Stage Live
"Rich, meticulous and expressive... El Sampedrino exits the listen with Rossi and Cheng’s dynamic chemistry emitting a stirring, fascinating finish to a very accomplished listen."
—Take Effect Reviews
"A true labor of love recording as this Chilean violist plays a slew of world premiere recordings by Chilean composers."
—Midwest Record Review
uncertain year.”
—KUSC / KDFC, Brian Lauritzen
"A soloist shot through with eloquence...offers playing of strong character, integrity, and clearly possesses 360-degree technical command".
— Fanfare, Colin Clarke
"Expertly played, the music guides you through the listening experience... Mobili brings me to a world I have never been to, and takes me around, showing me something new. That’s what this album is—something new. And it is worthy of attention."
—WQXR
"Fine playing of introspective and quite atmospheric music that really exploits the viola’s sonority to the full, results in an excellent CD."
—WholeNote Magazine
"Absolutamente invaluable. Esta primera compilación de música chilena para viola presenta de la mejor manera al medio discográfico internacional cinco obras nunca antes grabadas y un dúo de extraordinarias intérpretes." ("Absolutely priceless. This first compilation of Chilean music for viola introduces, in the best possible way, five previously unrecorded works and a duo of extraordinary performers to the international recording stage")
—Reporte Elgueta | SIMUC
"From the stunning cover art and well-written liner notes, crafted by Rossi, to the music within, this is a treasure-trove for anyone who loves the deep, rich sound of the viola... Cheng's strong playing coupled with Rossi's lush tone summons the emotion of the text.... [Mobili] is an exquisite closing to a remarkable collection."
—CVNC Arts Journal
“Wow. So many wows.”
—Julia Figueras, WXXI
“[Georgina Isabel Rossi is] extraordinarily in tune and crystal clear with her
interpretation”
— Elisabetta Brusa, composer
"A startling new recording... guaranteed to make you sit up and listen with newly attentive ears....Rossi plays with clear, unforced tone across the entire dynamic and tonal range of her instrument, creating fascinating variety of sound in a program which might --in other hands-- end up being too much of the same thing. Cheng creates a diverse, subtly varied array of sounds and textures on the piano, again avoiding any suspicion of routine."
—Large Stage Live
"Rich, meticulous and expressive... El Sampedrino exits the listen with Rossi and Cheng’s dynamic chemistry emitting a stirring, fascinating finish to a very accomplished listen."
—Take Effect Reviews
"A true labor of love recording as this Chilean violist plays a slew of world premiere recordings by Chilean composers."
—Midwest Record Review
What is Mobili?
A first-ever compilation of Chilean original repertoire for viola and piano, to be released on the New Focus Recordings label on October 9th, 2020. The project was spearheaded by Rossi in an effort to mark and honor the 2019 centennial of Juan Orrego-Salas, author of the titular work.
With one out-of-print exception, these six gemstones of the Latin American string repertoire have never been officially recorded, and so have been, until now, almost entirely inaccessible. It covers an immense musical landscape, with the oldest of the five composer born in 1912 and the youngest in 1985.
Mobili was made in dedication to Juan Orrego-Salas, author of the titular piece, 2019 marking his centennial. The giant of composition passed away days before the recording took place, on November 24th, 2019, and the album was released in memory of his life and work. Read his obituary here.
With one out-of-print exception, these six gemstones of the Latin American string repertoire have never been officially recorded, and so have been, until now, almost entirely inaccessible. It covers an immense musical landscape, with the oldest of the five composer born in 1912 and the youngest in 1985.
Mobili was made in dedication to Juan Orrego-Salas, author of the titular piece, 2019 marking his centennial. The giant of composition passed away days before the recording took place, on November 24th, 2019, and the album was released in memory of his life and work. Read his obituary here.
Who is on the album?
The album is a collaboration between Georgina and New-York based pianist Silvie Cheng.
Where was Mobili recorded?
At Oktaven Studios in Mount Vernon, New York, with sound-engineer Ryan Streber, in early December of 2019.
How was the record funded?
Mobili was successfully crowdfunded in 2019, and is made possible entirely by the generosity of its backers.
Visit the project landing page here for more information. To make a contribution to the project or tour, contact Georgina here.
Visit the project landing page here for more information. To make a contribution to the project or tour, contact Georgina here.
Who are the five composers?
CARLOS BOTTO 1923 - 2004
Botto was a celebrated pianist, professor, and composer who completed his studies in composition and piano in 1955, at the Universidad de Chile. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956 to study in New York with composer Luigi Dallapiccola. Among the numerous awards he received throughout his career is included the National Prize for the Arts from the Chilean government, in 1996. A true modernist composer, Botto's style reveals a very attractive meeting point between intellect and intuition.
DAVID CORTES b. 1985
Cortés was born in Santiago and studied composition at the Universidad de Chile. His 2011 work Tololo for solo viola and orchestra won first prize in the Luis Advis competition, a major national honor. The piece is inspired by the night sky as viewed from one of Chile's most spectacular observatories, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Coquimbo, and presents the listener with a descriptive, fantastical soundscape of the movements of astronomical bodies.
As part of the Luis Advis competition, Tololo was premiered by the Chile Chamber Orchestra and its principal violist: Georgina's mother and first teacher, Penelope Knuth.
RAFAEL DIAZ b. 1962
An ethnomusicologist and composer, Díaz's music is obsessed with nature and brims with memorable melodies, always aspiring to a higher realm. Díaz turns to the spiritual practices of indigenous peoples to re-discover melody and beauty, and to explore the sincerity of our connections to our environment. Born in Santiago, he studied at the Universidad de Chile before receiving his Master's in Washington D.C. and his Doctorate in Madrid. A pupil of Cirilo Vila and George Crumb, Díaz taught composition in his home country for decades. Today he calls Italy his home.
FEDERICO HEINLEIN 1912-1999
Born in Berlin, Heinlein was recognized in Chile both as composer and music critic. He taught composition at the Universidad de Chile for over thirty years, and was a music and dance critic for El Mercurio, Santiago's main journal, from 1954. Heinlein's parents were German immigrants first in Venezuela, then Argentina, and Chile. He was distinguished by the government with the 1986 Premio Nacional de las Artes Musicales en Chile (National Prize for Musical Arts in Chile).
His Duo for viola and piano can be described as neoromantic, and shows a handwritten inscription that reads "Do not go gentle" on the score.
JUAN ORREGO-SALAS 1919 - 2019
The illustrious composer and Latin American music scholar passed away in his home in Bloomington, IN, at 100 years old just days before Silvie and I recorded his work for viola. Mobili the CD/LP is named after his piece, was conceived to honor his centennial, and will be released in his memory. The musical world lost a giant on November 24th., 2019.
Juan Orrego-Salas taught composition at Indiana University for over 25 years, serving as chair of the composition department, and retiring as Professor Emeritus. The Santiago-born composer's work has been performed by the Juilliard Quartet, Louisville Symphony and the National Symphony in D.C. He was a Rockefeller Foundation grantee as well as a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, studying composition with Aaron Copland at Tanglewood, at the universities of Virginia and Princeton with Randall Thompson, and studying musicology with Paul Henry Lang and Georg Herzog at Columbia University.
He leaves behind over 100 works.
Botto was a celebrated pianist, professor, and composer who completed his studies in composition and piano in 1955, at the Universidad de Chile. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956 to study in New York with composer Luigi Dallapiccola. Among the numerous awards he received throughout his career is included the National Prize for the Arts from the Chilean government, in 1996. A true modernist composer, Botto's style reveals a very attractive meeting point between intellect and intuition.
DAVID CORTES b. 1985
Cortés was born in Santiago and studied composition at the Universidad de Chile. His 2011 work Tololo for solo viola and orchestra won first prize in the Luis Advis competition, a major national honor. The piece is inspired by the night sky as viewed from one of Chile's most spectacular observatories, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Coquimbo, and presents the listener with a descriptive, fantastical soundscape of the movements of astronomical bodies.
As part of the Luis Advis competition, Tololo was premiered by the Chile Chamber Orchestra and its principal violist: Georgina's mother and first teacher, Penelope Knuth.
RAFAEL DIAZ b. 1962
An ethnomusicologist and composer, Díaz's music is obsessed with nature and brims with memorable melodies, always aspiring to a higher realm. Díaz turns to the spiritual practices of indigenous peoples to re-discover melody and beauty, and to explore the sincerity of our connections to our environment. Born in Santiago, he studied at the Universidad de Chile before receiving his Master's in Washington D.C. and his Doctorate in Madrid. A pupil of Cirilo Vila and George Crumb, Díaz taught composition in his home country for decades. Today he calls Italy his home.
FEDERICO HEINLEIN 1912-1999
Born in Berlin, Heinlein was recognized in Chile both as composer and music critic. He taught composition at the Universidad de Chile for over thirty years, and was a music and dance critic for El Mercurio, Santiago's main journal, from 1954. Heinlein's parents were German immigrants first in Venezuela, then Argentina, and Chile. He was distinguished by the government with the 1986 Premio Nacional de las Artes Musicales en Chile (National Prize for Musical Arts in Chile).
His Duo for viola and piano can be described as neoromantic, and shows a handwritten inscription that reads "Do not go gentle" on the score.
JUAN ORREGO-SALAS 1919 - 2019
The illustrious composer and Latin American music scholar passed away in his home in Bloomington, IN, at 100 years old just days before Silvie and I recorded his work for viola. Mobili the CD/LP is named after his piece, was conceived to honor his centennial, and will be released in his memory. The musical world lost a giant on November 24th., 2019.
Juan Orrego-Salas taught composition at Indiana University for over 25 years, serving as chair of the composition department, and retiring as Professor Emeritus. The Santiago-born composer's work has been performed by the Juilliard Quartet, Louisville Symphony and the National Symphony in D.C. He was a Rockefeller Foundation grantee as well as a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, studying composition with Aaron Copland at Tanglewood, at the universities of Virginia and Princeton with Randall Thompson, and studying musicology with Paul Henry Lang and Georg Herzog at Columbia University.
He leaves behind over 100 works.
What's the track list?
Rafael DÍAZ ¿Habrá alguien que en sus manos sostenga este caer? for amplified solo viola
(Will There Be Someone Whose Hands Can Sustain This Falling?)
*Dedicated to Georgina Rossi and Penelope Knuth
Rafael DÍAZ Al fondo de mi distancia se asoma tu casa for viola & piano
(In the Depths of my Distance, Your House Emerges)
Carlos BOTTO Fantasia for viola & piano
*Dedicated to Pauline Jenkins and Manuel Diaz
Federico HEINLEIN Duo for viola & piano ‘Do Not Go Gentle’
David CORTÉS Tololo for viola & string orchestra (arr. va/pno Miguel Farías)
*Dedicated to Penelope Knuth
Juan ORREGO-SALAS Mobili op. 67 for viola & piano
*Dedicated to Pauline Jenkins and Manuel Diaz
What about the artwork?
Ms. Rossi will be making a dedicated series of works for all visual elements associated with Mobili's release. This series will be shared independently of the record on this website once the CD has been released. There will also be a limited edition vinyl that will incorporate handmade pieces.
Mobili is made possible by individual donations. The following names honor extremely generous donations. Thank you to every backer around the globe!
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Penelope Knuth
Luis Rossi Antony Rossi Kimberly Day Philipp Rabovsky Roger Tapping Peter & Leslie Barton Deborah & Thomas Klenck Nancy Thompson Vadim & Jane Rabovsky Sid Clark |
Alison & David Byron-Brown
Ken Mirkin James Vculek Liliana Zavaleta-Wiland Jane Ellsworth F. Gary Knapp Dana Day Natalie Judge Anne & Stephen Whitehouse Madeleine Boucher Valerie W Laidlaw Qin Ding |
Sharon Dennison
Bernard Kosto John Bryant Ken Peters Brooks Peters Allie Norris Robert Briselli Christine Bush Nelson Armitano Kelvin Hawthorne Erik Ladinsky |
Michael Small
Susana Larrain Katharine Coggeshall Daniel J. Spehr Debby Szajnberg David, Anne, Nicky, & Amanda Cobb Deborah Nancupil Kit Moore Bernard Friedland Karen Andersen |