Francisco Castillo is a master oboe performer and classical music composer who has toured with Andrea Bocelli and the New West Symphony Orchestra. The world premier of his composition “Rhapsody for Oboe, English Horn, and Orchestra” will be performed by the Redlands Symphony at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel in California’s Inland Empire on April 14.

This will be a special performance for the alumnus of the Conservatorio de Castella and the University of Costa Rica, who is also a faculty member at the University of Redlands School of Music. The soloist invited to perform at the rhapsody’s debut is Liang Wang, principal oboist of the prestigious New York Philharmonic.

In an interview with Redlands Daily Facts newspaper, the Tico composer told the story behind his latest composition:

“I was speaking to Liang Wang about what piece he wanted to perform with Redlands Symphony, he suggested that we play something together. I insisted that we wanted him to play something solo. But he continued to press his point,”

“I jokingly said that I didn’t want to play an Albinoni or Vivaldi concerto and would prefer something more interesting and new. Wang replied, `Well then, write something yourself.’ And so I did.”

Mr. Castillo went on to describe his new piece:

“[it features] polyrhythms, Latin folk melodies, simple harmonies, virtuosic, demanding, yet sustained lyrical passages, silly moments that are at the same time dramatic and tense. All in all, 15 minutes of fun”

Mr. Castillo’s list of accolades is lengthy, and it isn’t limited to chamber music. He has composed fanfare that premiered during the ceremonies of the 1994 FIFA World Cup (sadly, La Sele did not qualify that time). He has won international music competitions. He has performed with several ensembles in California and has recorded with the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the United Kingdom.

Of special interest is Mr. Castillo’s CD The Bolero Project, which features him performing oboe and English horn interpretations of traditional Latin musical pieces, including our very own Luna Liberiana. The Bolero Project was made possible thanks to the contribution of another Tico musician based in California, Oswald Bernard.

Like Mr. Castillo, Mr. Bernard also comes from the alumni ranks of the Conservatorio de Castella and the University of Costa Rica School of Music. Mr. Bernard is the bandleader of Opa Opa, a salsa ensemble that is a staple of the salsa circuit in Los Angeles and features Tico musicians.

The Bolero Project is just one example of the support Mr. Bernard has provided over the years to Tico musicians who find success abroad and put our country on the international musical map. In the past, The Costa Rica Star interviewed Carlos Valerin, a Tico trumpet player who made important contributions to the Golden Age of Salsa in New York. Mr. Valerin and Mr. Bernard were both members of Karibu, the first salsa band from Costa Rica to go on a major tour abroad.