20260514 Leandro Program

Brigham Young University, Provo The School of Music presents

Leandro Balderrama Violin

in Non-Required Recital Student of Monte Belknap

with

David Kim, piano Matthew Bailey, violoncello

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 7:30 P.M.

Recital Hall (Music Building) PROVO, UTAH

PROGRAM Cantabile, MS 109

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840)

Zapateado, Op 23, No. 2

Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)

Romance, Op 23

Amy Beach (1867-1944)

Pampeana No. 1

Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)

Rhapsody for Violin and Piano

5 MINUTES INTERMISSION Harvest Hymn

Percy Grainger (1882-1961)

Café Music Trio

Paul Schoenfield (1947-2024)

Allegro Andante Moderato Presto Primavera Porteña

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 7:30 P.M.

Astor Piazzola (1921-1992)

Recital Hall (Music Building) PROVO, UTAH

PROGRAM NOTES Niccolo Paganini — Cantabile, MS 109 Paganini is often remembered as the great virtuoso who dazzled Europe with his technical brilliance, but Cantabile shows a gentler side of his artistry. Written in the spirit of Italian bel canto singing, the piece invites the violin to “sing” in long, expressive lines.

The title literally means “singable,” and that is the heart of the music: a simple, lyrical melody shaped with warmth and breath. For me, this piece is a reminder that Paganini’s genius wasn’t only about fireworks — it was also about beauty, elegance, and the voice hidden inside the violin.

Pablo de Sarasate — Zapateado, Op. 23 No. 2 Sarasate was trained in the refined French violin tradition, but his own music is full of Spanish color and personality. Zapateado is based on a lively Andalusian dance known for its fast, rhythmic footwork.

The violin imitates that percussive energy with left‑hand pizzicatos, harmonics, and rapid passages that sparkle like the steps of a dancer. It’s a joyful, virtuosic showpiece — and performing it feels like stepping into the role of the dancer myself, full of rhythm and flair.

Amy Beach — Romance, Op. 23 Amy Beach was one of the first major American composers, and she achieved this at a time when women were rarely given space in the classical world. Her Romance is tender and heartfelt, full of long, singing lines that feel both intimate and quietly passionate.

The violin and piano share the melody like two voices in conversation — equal, responsive, and deeply connected. I love the sense of warmth and sincerity in this piece; it feels like a personal declaration set to music.

Alberto Ginastera — Pampeana No. 1 Ginastera is one of Argentina’s most iconic composers, and Pampeana No. 1 captures the spirit of the Pampas — the vast grasslands that shaped so much of the country’s folk tradition.

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 7:30 P.M.

Recital Hall (Music Building) PROVO, UTAH

He blends folk rhythms and gestures with modern harmonies, creating music that feels earthy, raw, and dreamlike at the same time. This rhapsody moves between wild energy and quiet introspection, almost like a landscape coming to life.

Percy Grainger — Harvest Hymn Grainger had a wonderfully imaginative musical voice, and Harvest Hymn shows his gift for glowing harmony and simple, heartfelt melody. Originally written using his “elastic scoring” technique — meaning it could be played by many different combinations of instruments — the piece centers on a gentle tune surrounded by rich, luminous chords.

To me, it feels like a moment of stillness and gratitude, almost like standing in a quiet field at the end of the day.

Paul Schoenfield — Café Music Schoenfield wrote Café Music after filling in for a pianist at a Minneapolis restaurant, and the piece carries that playful, eclectic spirit. It mixes early‑20th‑century American styles with touches of Broadway, Viennese charm, and even a bit of gypsy flair.

The music is lively, humorous, and full of personality — the kind of piece that smiles at you while still demanding tight ensemble chemistry.

Astor Piazzolla — Primavera Porteña Piazzolla transformed the tango into a concert art form, and Primavera Porteña (“Buenos Aires Spring”) is part of his set inspired by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

The music blends tango rhythms with classical and jazz influences, creating a sound that is unmistakably Piazzolla: passionate, urban, and full of rhythmic bite. Playing it always feels like stepping into the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! https://venmo.com/u/Leandro-Balderrama

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 7:30 P.M.

Recital Hall (Music Building) PROVO, UTAH