The Villalobos Brothers performing at Carnegie Hall's Isaac Stern Auditorium
Early years
Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis Villalobos were born and raised in Xalapa, Mexico, an hour away from the port city of Veracruz. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother play music for enjoyment after the work day, accompanying dancers at a country fandango, or playing for guests dining in restaurants. The trio learned the violin at a young age and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including the guitar, the piano and the jarana. They eventually moved on to specialize in classical violin and composition, which further developed into the creation of their own style of playing called "Fast-Chatting Violin" which involves a rapid succession of notes and percussive sounds that imitate the human voice.[1]
From 1990 to 2000 they studied classical violin with Carlos Marrufo Gurrutia,[2] and composition and counterpoint with Eugeniusz Sleziak Kandora,[3] Roberto Lira López, and Ryszard Siwy Machalica.[4][5]
Although the three Villalobos Brothers are classically trained on the violin, their music draws influence from many genres, including Son jarocho (a musical style from their native city of Veracruz). Jarocho describes the unique style as being created by the people and culture of the southern coastal plain of Veracruz, who for more than two centuries have shaped a distinctive regional music which intertwines fundamentals of jazz, rock and blues.[19]
Most of their original music features complex patterns of interwoven three-violin harmonies, intricate call-and-response arrangements, and lyrical melodies carried out by one of the brothers as the other two reinforce it in counterpoint.[20]
Carnegie Hall concerts
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Recital Hall
The Villalobos Brothers performing at Queens Theatre in the Park
On 23 October 2005, the Villalobos Brothers reunited in New York City for their debut recital at Carnegie Hall.[12][21] The concert was also a sold-out benefit for The Shul of New York.[22]
Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage
On 17 December 2006, the Villalobos Brothers were invited back to Carnegie Hall,[23][24] this time leading the music program for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company's[25] production at the Isaac Stern Auditorium involving over a hundred dancers and musicians and with the special participation of the Mariachi Academy of New York.[26][27] For this concert, the brothers premiered several original compositions, including "Anochipa Tlalticpac" for chorus, jaranas, and pre-Columbian percussion.
Collaboration with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
From 2006 to 2009, Ernesto served as musical director of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.[25] During these years, the Villalobos Brothers toured extensively with the company, including performing with Dolly Parton at the Festival of Nations at Dollywood.
Latin Grammy Appearance
The Villalobos Brothers with León Gieco after the Latin Grammy Awards in New York City
On 30 November 2004, Ernesto Villalobos gave a soloist performance at The Town Hall Theater in Manhattan. This performance was the world premiere of La Promesa del Guerrero, a symphonic piece written and performed by Ernesto featuring tenor Mauricio O'Reilly. This 20-minute composition was based on a poem by Mane de la Parra. It narrates the Nahua legend of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl mountains outside Mexico City. The concert marked the closing night of the 2004 Celebrate MexicoNOW! Festival organized by Claudia Norman.[29][30]
The Shul Band: Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps
The Villalobos Brothers have been frequent collaborators of The Shul Band, a klezmer band led by Adam Feder.[12] In 2005 Ernesto Villalobos and Adam Feder led a candlelit vigil at the children's barracks inside the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum as part of Bernie Glassman's Bearing Witness Zen Peacemakers retreat 2005 in Oświęcim, Poland.[31][32]
Collaboration with Dan Zanes
On 17 January 2008, The Villalobos Brothers accompanied Grammy-winner Dan Zanes as part of Blue Country Heart: The Music of Hank Williams[33] in a concert at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall in New York City.
Later that year, they also toured the West Coast of the US as part of the show Holiday House Party With Dan Zanes and Friends, ending with a three-week residency at the New Victory Theater on Broadway.[34][35] As part of the tour, the Villalobos Brothers played and sang holiday music from their native Veracruz.
National Dance Institute
In June 2008, the Villalobos Brothers were featured as soloists at the National Dance Institute's Event of the Year "Volando a México". This series of concerts involved over 200 dancers and musicians and told the story of two Mexican-American children living in New York City who fly to Mexico for the first time. As part of this same event, they were also invited to appear in a short film by NDI's Artistic Director Jacques d'Amboise, The Children of the Roses.[36]
Critical reception and awards
Critical reception
The Villalobos Brothers have been acclaimed as violin virtuosos and one of the leading ensembles of world music.[21][19][37][38] Following a 12 November 2006, concert at Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, The Forward noted that "...they played with exuberant intensity for the appreciative audience...Ernesto returned his attention to his violin, his long, dark hair flying through the air as his bow raced across the strings....With their heads bowed as if in prayer, their fingers jumping and feet tapping, they weren't just playing music, they were living it."[21]
In 2007, they received the Tepeyac Association of New York's "Leaders of the Future Excellence Award".[37]
Awards
Ernesto Villalobos conducts the premiere of "Anochipa Tlalticpac" at Carnegie Hall
2011 – Bronze Medal for Best Documentary in the category of Social Issues at the New York Festivals International Radio Competition[39][40]
2007 – Leaders of the Future Award presented by the Tepeyac Association of New York[41][42]
Oscar Frasser, El Águila Negra, Original soundtrack composed by Luis Villalobos featuring tenor Román García, 2011 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), CUNY Short Films
United Nations Radio,[62]Gender Equality And 15 Year-Olds,[63] Original soundtrack composed by Ernesto Villalobos featuring soprano Claudia Bianca Montes, 2010 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), United Nations Radio Unit, New York
Caitlin McEwan, Moving Pictures,[64] featuring Caitlin Fitzgerald at IMDb, Original soundtrack composed by Alberto Villalobos, 2009 (compositions, arrangements, appear on), 12 Weeks 12 Films
Instrumentals
Richard Temtchine, a film writer and director,[65][66][67]How to Seduce Difficult Women,[68] Original soundtrack by Pedro da Silva, 2009 (appear on), Quadrant Entertainment
Javier Chapa at IMDb, Harvest of Redemption,[69] Original soundtrack by Richard Martinez 2007 (appear on), Chapa-Perez Entertainment
John J. Valadez and Cristina Ibarra,[72]The Last Conquistador,[73] Original soundtrack by Richard Martinez, 2007 (appear on), PBS Point of View
Plays
Zona Rosa[74] a play by Carlos Morton directed by Michael Barakiva.[75] Music performed by The Villalobos Brothers at Queens Theatre in the Park[76] 14 May 2011[77]
The Roses on the Rocks[80] a play by Ellen Boscov,[81] directed by Richard Caliban.[82] Original music by Rana Santacruz,[83] performed by Alberto Villalobos[84]
Viva La Vida[85] a play by Diane Shaffer directed by Susana Tubert.[86] Original music by Rick Martinez at IMDbSoundtrack: Viva la Vida, 2006 (appear on), Bay Street[55]
^ abMarshall, Helen. "USCIS Letter". Office of the President of the Borough of Queens. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
^Abaroa, Gabriel. "President". The Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
^Zedillo Ponce de León, Ernesto (26 July 2000). "Comunicado No. 2326". Vocero de la Presidencia de México. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
^Estrada Rodríguez, Luis Alfonso. "Constancia, Primer Lugar". Escuela Nacional de Música. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
