Influenced by his early encounters with experimental electronic music, Leonardo Balada (b. 1933) is a pioneer of the blending of ethnic music with avant-garde techniques....

Influenced by his early encounters with experimental electronic music, Leonardo Balada (b. 1933) is a pioneer of the blending of ethnic music with avant-garde techniques. In Cumbres (Heights), a ‘Short Symphony for Band’, he dramatically employs an ‘electronic’ effect. The Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion pursues cluster-like textures while also paying homage to Chopin, Poulenc and Stravinsky. The Viola Concerto is marked out by conflict and lyricism. The NY Times described the Sonata for Ten Winds as “an exciting instrumental showcase with stunning motoric passages.”