Gabriel Cabezas

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music proudly announces its 2024 season, featuring an exhilarating lineup that continues to push the boundaries of orchestral music. The highlight of the season is the "Creative Coast" event, set to take place on Saturday, August 10th, at 7 PM in the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. This event marks the debut of the Cabrillo Festival’s Creative Lab, a groundbreaking initiative that grants composers curatorial control to reimagine the orchestral experience.

"Creative Coast" will showcase two remarkable artists: Gabriel Cabezas, known for his mastery of the amplified cello, and Bora Yoon, a visionary vocalist and sound artist. The evening will premiere two significant works. The first, "Lost Coast" by Gabriella Smith, features Gabriel Cabezas in a cello concerto that captures the raw beauty and emotional turmoil associated with California’s northern coastline and the broader implications of climate change. Described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "high-voltage and wildly imaginative," Smith's music promises to deliver an unforgettable auditory and emotional journey.

The second highlight of the evening is the world premiere of "PARHELION" by Bora Yoon. This piece is a testament to the Creative Lab's mission, utilizing the unique architecture of the Civic Auditorium to create an immersive sonic experience that transcends traditional concert norms. Through the collaboration with multimedia and design experts Joshue Ott of Interval Studios and Visual Endeavors, Yoon's composition will blend sound and light in an innovative performance that explores themes of time, seasons, and cycles. The orchestral movements will not only contribute to the music but also generate dynamic projections and interactive graphics, offering the audience a captivating fusion of sound, light, and movement.

Under the leadership of Music Director Cristian Măcelaru, the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra will bring these compositions to life, demonstrating once again the festival's commitment to presenting cutting-edge contemporary music. The "Creative Coast" event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of orchestral music and the powerful ways it can communicate complex themes of beauty, loss, and transformation.

Subscriptions for the 2024 season are now available. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a unique musical experience that celebrates innovation, creativity, and the enduring power of contemporary music.