ORO, commissioned by Carnegie Hall

Made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Premiered on May 24, 2024 at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall.

Pulitzer Prize winning composer Tania León served as the holder of the prestigious Richard and Barbara Debds Composer’s Chair for Carnegie Hall’s 2023–2024 season, curating and leading a vibrant series of concerts celebrating living composers, global rhythms, and innovative multimedia works. ORO was one of the pieces commissioned for and presented on this special occasion.

Program notes

The composition ORO has its roots in the rhythmic cycles, tonalities, timbers, textures, and counterpoint inherent in the three ritual batá drums. These drums carry within them centuries of cultural heritage, echoing across continents and generations. My journey with ORO has been about finding new paths and  bypassing oblique references. My intention is to synthesize sources. 

The original term Oru encompasses the sacred repertoire of the batá drums. In its symmetry and rhythmic resonance, the word Oro takes a subtle departure, inviting us to experience exploration through tradition.

Collaboration has been at the heart of this work, and I’m thankful to Michael Schlapbach, a bachelor's student at the Zürich University of the Arts, whose input has been invaluable in shaping certain sonic design aspects of the piece. As you immerse yourself in this music, you'll encounter electronically transformed sounds sourced from the natural world, reminding us of our intricate connection with the environment. And, of course, none of this would be possible without the artists who embarked with me on this journey. From the virtuosity of Dafnis Prieto, Brandon Ross, Rane Moore, Chris Potter, Rashaan Carter, Dabin Ryu and Curtis MacDonald, to the visual storytelling of Alec Dempster, each has played a vital role in bringing ORO to life.

I'm deeply grateful to Tania León and Henry Threadgill, for their unwavering dedication to authentic expression. In a world that sometimes prioritizes conformity over creativity, your commitment greatly inspires artists like myself. 

I hope this music resonates with you.

May 21, 2024

David Virelles

Photo journal by Adrien H Tillmann