The Dances of Argentina brings to the stage Bay Area solo harpist Anna Maria Mendieta playing Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto, Opus 25. Mendieta and Marcelo Molina, a U.S.A. National Tango Champion, dance tango numbers accompanied by tangos of Argentina by various composers. The symphony performance concludes with Four Dances from Estancia by Alberto Ginastera.
Harp Concerto, Opus 25 – Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)

1. Allegro giusto
2. Molto moderato
3. Cadenza: Liberamente capriccioso – Vivace

I N T E R M I S S I O N

Estancia: Four Dances, Opus 8A – Alberto Ginastera

1. Los trabajadores agricolas (The Land Workers)
2. Danza del trigo (Wheat Dance)
3. Los peones de hacienda (The Cattlemen)
4. Danza final (Malambo – Final Dance)

SPONSORS: Rich & Jean Craig, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Selzer Realty/Realty World

About Anna Maria Mendieta

Anna Maria Mendieta, principal harpist with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, has performed with orchestras and chamber music groups across the country and beyond including the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Russian National Orchestra, and the Russian State Ballet.

She has performed for Pope Benedict XVI, President Clinton, President Gorbachev, the King and Queen of Spain; for National Hispanic Week in Washington D.C., 2011 World Youth Day events in Madrid, and at the Vatican. Ms. Mendieta has been honored with concertos especially composed for her including a commission award from the American Harp Society which she premiered in 2013.

With many albums to her credit, Anna Maria has appeared in movies, television, NPR, and the Emmy Awards. She has performed with Frederica von Stade, Josh Groban, Frank Sinatra Jr, Olivia Newton John, Charlotte Church, Moody Blues, John Denver, and Barry Manilow, who calls her his “favorite harpist”.

Ms. Mendieta performs all styles of music from classical to contemporary, and is recognized internationally as a pioneer in performing Argentine Tango music on the harp with praises recognized by The American Symphony Orchestra League as an “exceptional and charismatic [concerto] soloist”.

Her creation of “Tango del Cielo”, a national touring concert-show, is the focus of a documentary film. When she’s not pulling strings, Anna Maria is out on the dance floor as a part of the show.