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Orchestra dedicates song to the CNMI
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Posted on Mar 25 1999
The 12-member Chamber Orchestra of the Emporda made their second performance on Saipan Tuesday night at the Mount Carmel Cathedral with a musical piece dedicated for the Chamorros.
Although a small crowd went to hear the group perform, its members delivered a virtuoso performance to merit another trip to the island.
“Saipan en el Corazon (Chamorrita Pizzicato)”, or Saipan in the heart as translated in English, expresses the love and admiration the composer felt when he came to Saipan.
“The music composed by our director Carles Coll pays homage to the people of the island. He was so taken by the hospitality when we last came here,” said James Testi, the group’s spokesperson and who plays double bass.
Together with this piece for the Chamorros, the group also played “Ponape me voy” (To Pohnpei I will be going) and Anorada Guam (How I missed Guam).
“Just reading these titles, our conductor wants to express in his music the feeling of melancholy for these islands,” he said.
Included in this concert was “Poor Me” a melody discovered on Saipan and reflects the soul of its community.
According to Testi, such selections were written following the style in 1880’s to 1890’s or during the period when Spain was about to give the Marianas to its next colonizers.
In giving life to these pieces, the band gathered members from France, Mexico, Armenia, Cuba, Hungary, Spain and Canada.
They first came to Saipan in November last year during the Spanish legacy celebration.
Founded a decade ago, the group enjoys the support of various culture and arts group the world over and has traveled to Europe and Asia. The group has performed before the European Parliament Headquarters in Strasbourg and received the National Music Award in Spain.
Carmen Castro Gaskins is the event organizer. Supporters to this concert includes the Marianas Visitors Authority and Pacific Islands Club.
