ENRICO CHAPELA BARBA
COMPOSER
Magnetar
Concerto for electric cello
International commission for three orchestras: Los Angeles Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, 2011.
Science fiction music, just like literature. Not in the sense of fictitious but of scientific fiction, a genre of fiction based on science. That is Magnetar, Enrico Chapela's concerto for electric cello and orchestra.
Chapela searched for the largest magnet in the universe to base his piece on it, hence the title: Magnetar. Magnetars are pulsars resulting from the implosion of a supernova that produce a huge magnetic field. The composer researched and located a scientist from the University of Berkeley, California, who has worked with magnetars: Johnathan Arons. "I met with him and he provided me with data from NASA spacecraft that have observed magnetar explosions; from that data I extracted the materials to compose the work." And he adds: "I use science for fun; in that sense it is equivalent to science fiction in literature. I don't intend to make a scientific argument, I don't claim that magnetars sound like this."
To translate the research into musical materials, Chapela took his electric guitar, removed two strings, and tuned it like a cello. "I jammed with the materials generated from the magnetars. From there came the solo part, which I then orchestrated around."
The electric cello is an electromagnetic instrument, since its strings generate a magnetic field when they move, which is captured by a pickup that converts it into an electrical current. The electric cello has no soundbox, only a fingerboard and a silhouette in the shape of the outer edge. Created by Yamaha, the so-called "Silent Cello" was designed for studying without disturbing neighbors, but it was later found that its signal could be used like an electric guitar and cellists began to take it seriously.
"In Magnetar, electric guitar effects such as wah-wah, distortion, flanger, phaser, chorus are used. Influences of rock, metal, reggae, progressive rock, and jazz can be found. I like the variety of textures and colors, a consequence of the use of effects. The passages that sound rocky or jazzy are a product of jamming with my guitar."
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Awards
August 22, 2016
Finalist work at the Young Euro Classic festival. Konzerthaus, Berlin, Germany. Bundesjugendorchester, Alondra de la Parra, Johannes Moser.
PERFORMANCES
Lugano, Switzerland. Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Alexander Vedernikov, Johannes Moser.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, TN, USA. Nashville Symphony, Giancarlo Guerrero, Johannes Moser.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, TN, USA. Nashville Symphony, Giancarlo Guerrero, Johannes Moser.
Brevard Music Center Orchestra, North Carolina, USA. Keith Lockhart, Johannes Moser.
Conrad Centre, Kitchener, Canada. Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Edwin Outwater, Johannes Moser.
Jack Singer Hall, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Roberto Minczuk, Johannes Moser.
Konzerthaus, Berlin, Germany. Bundesjugendorchester, Alondra de la Parra, Johannes Moser.
OFUNAM, Nezahualcóyotl Hall, Mexico City. Iván del Prado, Johannes Moser.
OFUNAM, Nezahualcóyotl Hall, Mexico City. Iván del Prado, Johannes Moser.
Porto Symphony Orchestra, National Auditorium, Madrid, Spain. Christoph Konig, Johannes Moser.
Porto Symphony Orchestra, Dlibes Auditorium, Valladolid, Spain. Christoph Konig, Johannes Moser.
Porto Symphony Orchestra, Dlibes Auditorium, Valladolid, Spain. Christoph Konig, Johannes Moser.
Porto Symphony Orchestra, Casa da Música, Porto, Portugal. Christoph Konig, Johannes Moser.
Cabrillo Festival, Santa Cruz, CA, USA. Marin Alsop, Johannes Moser.
European Premiere. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Diego Matheuz, Johannes Moser.
Claudio Santoro Auditorium, Campos do Jordão, Brazil. OSESP, Marin Alsop, Johannes Moser.
Sala São Paulo, Brazil. OSESP, Marin Alsop, Johannes Moser.
Sala São Paulo, Brazil. OSESP, Marin Alsop, Johannes Moser.
São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, conductor, Johannes Moser, e-cello.
Davies Hall, San Francisco, CA, USA. L.A. Phil, Gustavo Dudamel, Johannes Moser.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA. L.A. Phil, Gustavo Dudamel, Johannes Moser.
World Premiere. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, USA. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo
Dudamel, conductor, Johannes Moser, e-cello.
September 26, 2019
May 18, 2018
May 19, 2018
July 29, 2017
April 20, 2017
October 28, 2016
August 22, 2016
October 25, 2015
October 24, 2015
October 12, 2013
October 11, 2013
October 10, 2013
October 04, 2013
August 10, 2013
March 3, 2013
July 8, 2012
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October 23, 2011
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