Camerata Del Sol (CDS), a Southwest chamber music ensemble, continues its 2024-2025 season with a concert showcasing one of the chamber music masterpiece — Felix Mendelssohn’s “Octet in E-flat Major.” This program will also feature Joseph Haydn’s “String Quartet in G Major, Op. 77” and “Rondo No. 2” by NMSU alumnus Albert Yoshimoto.
“In line with Camerata Del Sol’s mission to promote the dissemination of new or seldom performed music, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the talent of a local southwestern, up and coming young composer, Albert Yoshimoto, who was also my violin student while working on his undergraduate degree at NMSU,” said Daniel Vega-Albela, the ensemble’s artistic director.
Acclaimed guest cellist Joel Becktell will join CDS’s core musicians for this special performance. Becktell has an extensive and distinguished career, having been a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nichols Quartet, the Harrington String Quartet, and the Moveable Feast chamber ensemble. From 1995 to 2002, he served as principal cellist of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and has also held principal roles with Santa Fe Pro Musica and assistant principal cellist with the Santa Fe Symphony.
The ensemble includes several of CDS’s founding musicians, such as Daniel Vega-Albela, Brigid McCarthy (concertmaster, Las Cruces Symphony), James Carney (principal cello, El Paso Symphony), and Mara Arredondo (associate principal viola, El Paso Symphony). Joining them are symphony musicians Elisabeth Greene (viola, Las Cruces Symphony), Jasmine Vazquez (violin, Las Cruces Symphony), and Angel Ornelas (violin, recent NMSU alumnus and rising star).
Concert dates and locations are 7 p.m., Friday, April 4, at Grapes Gallery, 407 N. Main St., Truth or Consequences; 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at Atkinson Recital Hall, 1075 N. Horseshoe, Las Cruces; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the Woman’s Club of El Paso 1400 N. Mesa St., El Paso.
Admission to both concerts is free. A suggested donation of $15 supports future Camerata Del Sol performances. Donations can be made at the door or in advance. Reserve your seat at www.cameratadelsol.org.
