International Rhythmic Collection (v. 1/2) on Harp (A. Ortiz) - The Michigan Harpist

Visit for professional clips/photos, event/booking info, and lesson information! For the best audio quality, capturing the warmth of the harp, listen with headphones! *** Please find below some of my favorite selections from Dr. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz’s “International Rhythmic Collection,“ selected from volumes 1 and 2. I have included times for these songs below, as well as some copied information about Dr. Ortiz himself! I have put a “***“ next to my personal favorites, if you only have a little time to listen. *** 0:00 - Famous Traveling Melodies: Theme and Variations on “London Bridge“ 1:07 - La Cucaracha (The Cockroach) - Trad Mexico 2:12 - Waiting (Esperando) - original by Ortiz 3:57 - Las Mananitas - trad. Mexico (Birthday song!) 4:27 - Arroz con leche (Rice with Milk) - Trad. Spain & Latin America 4:57 - Duermete mi Nino (Go to sleep, my child) - Trad. Spain & Latin America 5:59 - Los Pollitos (The Baby Chicks) - Trad. Spain & Latin America 6:33 - Al animo - Trad. Spain & Latin America (Children’s Song) 7:29 - Naranja Dulce (Sweet Orange) - Trad. Spain & Latin America 9:02 - De Colores (With Colors) - Trad. Spain & Latin America (Children’s Song) 9:59 - Canto del Pilon (Pounding Mortar Song) - Trad. Venezuela 10:38 - Noche de Fiesta (Party Night) - original, inspired by Venezuela 12:57 - Zamba para un dia de lluva (Zamba for a Rainy Day) - original, inspired by Venezuela. Dedicated to Ortiz’s daughter 14:00 - Tango Triste (Sad Tango) - original, inspired by Argentina 16:15 - Milonga Para amar (Milonga for Loving) - original, inspired by Argentina. Dedicated to Ortiz’s wife *** 17:39 - Mulher Rendeira (Weaver Woman) - original, inspired by Brazil 19:06 - Carnaval Brasileiro (Brazilian Carnival) - original, inspired by Brazil 20:33 - Danza de Luzma (Luzma’s Dance) - original, inspired by Paraguay. Dedicated to Ortiz’s daughter 22:09 - El Solito (The Little Lonely One) - original, inspired by Paraguay 23:46 - The Harp Cha-cha-cha! - original, inspired by Cuba 24:46 - Habanera Rosa (Pink Habanera) - original, inspired by Cuba 26:29 - Habanera Gris (Grey Habanera) - original, inspired by Cuba 28:31 - Conga viene, conga va! (Conga comes, conga goes!) - original, inspired by Cuba *** 31:44 - Tu Ventana (Your Window) - original, inspired by Columbia *** 32:47 - Cumbia Deliciosa (Delicious Cumbia) - original, inspired by Columbia 33:53 - Cocorna (Cocorna) - original, inspired by Paraguay. Dedicated to the town of Cocorna *** 37:23 - Los arboles de las marioposas (The Butterfly Trees) - original. Dedicated to the preservation of Monarch Butterfly Migration *** *** In 2007, Dr. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz was invited to compose a piece to be premiered on July 22, 2008, during the Tenth World Harp Congress in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Originally composed for four harps or harp ensemble, the piece was performed by 232 harpists, breaking the Guinness World Record of the largest harp ensemble. .... Alfredo was born in Cuba. When he was eleven years old he immigrated with his family to Venezuela. Four years later he began studying the Venezuelan folk harp with his school friend Fernando Guerrero. A year later he became a pupil of Alberto Romero on the Paraguayan harp. Just two years after his first harp lesson, he began medical studies in Medellín, Colombia, began performing professionally and recorded his first album. Music supported his medical studies until graduation. Five years later he moved to the United States to continue studies of music therapy. Two years later he married Luz Marina Otero. For eight years from the time of his graduation from medical school, he worked in the medical field as well as a harpist and recording artist, until his wife became pregnant. In order to have time for his growing family, he then decided to dedicate his life only to them and to his first love: the harp. With a multicultural repertoire which covers folk, classical and popular music of many countries, as well as his original compositions, Dr. Ortiz has performed for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. He has recorded over forty albums and is the winner of a Gold Record in South America. He has lectured on a variety of subjects at universities, colleges and schools, is the author of several harp music books and articles and his compositions have been performed and recorded by classical and folk harpists in many countries. His “Venezolana for Five Pedal Harps” has become a favorite of harp ensembles around the world. His acclaimed “South American Suite for Harp and Orchestra” premiered March 3, 1996. Dr Ortiz was invited to perform his Suite at the World Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic in 1999 with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, having as audience over one thousand classical harpists from around the world.