About
The Spanish word "crezco” means “I grow up.” This piece pulls excerpts of my
childhood with my Mexican family. The first movement recalls a specific moment:
my abuelo’s birthday. I remember a mariachi singer singing a soft song for him. It
was like time stopped while she was singing. Using the saxophone’s voice-like
qualities, the saxophone is singing throughout this movement with virtuosic
characteristics.
The second movement is a lot more energetic and moving. Following that
mariachi singer, my abuelo started playing cumbias very loudly over the
speakers. Everyone began to dance. We felt like we could dance forever. This
movement has constant dance grooves and syncopations to evoke the positive
energy of my childhood. Memories like this remind me of who I am and where my
family comes from. The memories that keep me going forward.
Premiered by saxophonist Will Meckley and pianist Benson Chen