Ensemblast Project has been a singular creative force of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings, piano, other instruments, and singers. It breaks new ground authentically and passionately, fusing the classical quartet aesthetic with contemporary Latin American styles and borrowing freely from an array of musical languages – folk, jazz, salsa, bolero, world and pop. By devising a performance practice that honors both influences, the state of the art has been inevitably redefined.
¡Un Concierto de lujo!
A Luxury Concert!
Biblioteca de Boquete
“At the beginning of August, we offer a concert to remember. Ensemblast, formed by: Ricardo Zúñiga, Isaac Casal, Juvenal Correa Salas and Luis Casal, was the group that with the double bass, the cello, the piano and the violin gave their audience an unforgettable evening. With a lot of feeling and great mastery, this talented quartet performed successes that made everyone present vibrate. Undoubtedly, a presentation of excellence that reaffirms your professionalism.”
“A inicios de agosto, ofertamos un concierto para el recuerdo. Ensemblast, conformado por: Ricardo Zúñiga, Isaac Casal, Juvenal Correa Salas y Luis Casal, fue el grupo que al son del contrabajo, el violonchelo, el piano y el violín regalaron a su público una velada inolvidable.
Con mucho sentimiento y gran maestría, este talentoso cuarteto ejecutó éxitos que hicieron vibrar a todos los presentes. Sin lugar a dudas, una presentación de excelencia que reafirma su profesionalismo.”
Boquete may be a small mountain town in Panama, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get a dose of culture from time to time! A few times a year, the Boquete Library Foundation stages musical recitals that are consistently great. The Foundation typically features up-and-common Panamanian musicians and groups that are on the fast track to international recognition, and the performances are top-notch.
Last Sunday, we attended the latest of these – a chamber group called “Ensemblast,” lead by well-known Panamanian cellist Isaac Casal (wonder if he’s related to famous cellist Pablo Casals?). They played a stunning and eclectic program that ranged from the haunting “Schindler’s List” overture by John Williams to Appalachia Waltz by Mark O’Connor. The biggest bonus: we got an introduction to the music of Astor Piazzola, an Argentine and a legendary composer of tango music. With this fabulous music, they took us instantly back to everything we loved about our visit to Buenos Aires – its theatricality, wrapped up in mystery, romance, and a dash of the macabre.
Where else can you attend a live performance of this caliber for $15 a ticket? Just another reason to love this expat life in Boquete!
I wish I could find a video of an Ensemblast performance, but here’s one of the tunes they played for us – “Invierno Porteño,” as performed by Piazzolla himself.