Marie Gallardo, clarinet

I am proud to announce the release of my new recording project, as part of my Doctoral research, titled: Voices of the Isthmus: Contemporary Clarinet Sounds of Central America, which is now available on SoundCloud.

This compilation brings together a collection of contemporary works for the clarinet by composers from Guatemala and the greater Central America isthmus, many of which have never been professional recorded before. This album is an important step toward advancing my commitment to research, performance, and advocacy. It also amplifies underrepresented voices in classical music, and broadens what is heard, programmed, and studied in clarinet performance today.

Album Liner Notes

As a Guatemalan American clarinetist, Voices of the Isthmus represents both a personal journey and a professional mission: to amplify the voices, stories, and sounds of Central America within the classical music world. Too often, the region’s contributions are underrepresented, and not due to a lack of artistry, but due to limited visibility and access. This album seeks to bridge that gap. Featuring works by composers from Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama, each piece on this recording reflects a rich interplay of cultural heritage and contemporary expression. These voices, shaped by their unique histories and musical languages, offer a nuanced vision of what classical music can be when rooted in identity and innovation. Through this collection, I hope to celebrate the diverse artistic traditions of Central America while honoring my own roots. Voices of the Isthmus is a tribute to the people, landscapes, and legacies that continue to shape and inspire my voice as a clarinetist. Additionally, it is an invitation for listeners to explore a vibrant, evolving musical landscape too often overlooked.

Tracklist:

1. Sonata Urbana, op. 30 (2011) – Dieter Lehnhoff (b. 1955)
   • I. Preludio
   • II. Cantiga
   • III. Toccata
2. Fantasia para Clarinete en La (2010) – Samuel Robles (b. 1974)
3. Concierto para Clarinete y Cuerdas (2012) – Carlos Escalante Macaya (b. 1968)
   • I. Mamihlapinatapai
   • II. Hedonismo se escribe con H
   • III. El Circo
4. Tres Piezas para Clarinete Solo, op. 26 (2014) – Hugo Arenas (c. 1970)
   • I.
   • II.
   • III.
5. Nocturno para Clarinete y Piano (2021) – Juan Guerra Gonzalez (b. 1980)

Listen

About the Album

The repertoire chosen for the album consists of works I found during my Lecture recital research on Guatemalan music, as well as other works from Central America that I felt particularly drawn to. The pieces reflect the diversity of aesthetics and techniques employed by these composers from across Central America.

This album is a resource as much as it is a recording. I hope it will serve as:

• A listening and repertoire resource for clarinetists and educators.
• Encouragement for students and performers to explore Central American music.
• Encouragement for musicologists and scholars to document and research this overlooked area of the world.
• A way to encourage future collaborations with Central American composers, and center women and other marginalized voices.

If any of these works peak your interest for performance or if you would like to find out more about scores, please feel free to reach out to me directly or check the composer and resource links that I will be providing in future posts.

Thank you

This project would not have been possible without the support of the composers and their music, my two wonderful pianists Dan Velicer and Evan Minsk, and my recording engineer Bob Beck. I am deeply grateful and excited to share my work with everyone and further the research of Latin American music, and especially Central America.

Please watch out for future posts where I will delve deeper into each piece, including composers biographies, additional liner notes, and more!