Lo Que Dejamos Atrás

Difficulty: College/professional
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Instrumentation: 2222 – 4231 – timp+2 perc., pno, hp – strings

Description

Lo Que Dejamos Atrás is a work-in-progress for orchestra inspired by my Argentine family’s musical legacy and immigration to New York City. My Grandma studied piano at the conservatory in Buenos Aires, and my Great Aunt played violin for the Teatro Colón. Their stories not only inspired me to become a composer, but also reflect my family’s struggles to find a sense of “home” in America.

Although it made the journey with my Grandma to New York, my Great Aunt’s violin ended up getting left behind in a closet, during one of my Grandma’s many moves within the city. For me, this story symbolizes the deep sense I’ve felt that valuable aspects of my Argentine heritage have became irretrievably lost in the process of cultural assimilation.

Artistically, I envision this inspiration playing out a dialogue between the concertmaster (my Great Aunt), the orchestral piano (my Grandma), and the rest of the orchestra (New York City). Rather than being a concerto, these instruments will form a tapestry where the three parts blend, contrast, and ultimately talk past each other. The piece aims to help immigrants feel seen, invite audiences to reflect on their own family stories and shine a light on the sense of dislocation that lingers in many immigrant families for generations.

In 2023, I wrote a 2-minute “proof of concept” version of the piece, which I recorded with the Budapest Art Orchestra. This draft version showcases the intended sound-world of the piece. The completed piece would use these materials to create the full, 10-15 minute version.

I’m looking for orchestras and sponsors interested in bringing the full piece to life.

Individuals and organizations interested in commissioning or performing the work may contact me at joseph@josephsowa.com.