Alondra de la Parra “Mi Alma Mexicana/My Mexican Soul” Album Giveaway – Ends 08/10 – Worldwide

August 3rd will mark the release of Mi Alma Mexicana (“My Mexican Soul”), a 2-CD set celebrating Mexico’s 2010 Bicentennial. And one lucky Contest Corner reader will win a copy of this album courtesy of Sony, so read on!

About Mi Alma Mexicana:

“New York, NY— Sony Classical announces Mi Alma Mexicana (‘My Mexican Soul’), the debut recording of conductor Alondra de la Parra with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (POA), available worldwide on August 3, 2010. Mi Alma Mexicana is a 2-CD set celebrating Mexico’s 2010 Bicentennial with 200 years of orchestral music by Mexican composers. The album features the world premiere recordings of Enrico Chapela’s Ínguesu and Eugenio Toussaint’s Concierto para Piano with Alex Brown as piano soloist. Mi Alma Mexicana also includes Gustavo Campa’s Melodía with violinist Daniel Andai, and Manuel M. Ponce’s Concierto del Sur for Guitar and Orchestra with guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas, as well as music by Ricardo Castro, Carlos Chavez, Candelario Huízar, Federico Ibarra, Mario Lavista, Arturo Márquez, José Pablo Moncayo, Silvestre Revueltas, and Juventino Rosas. Mi Alma Mexicana was engineered by Grammy Award-winning producer Adam Abeshouse, with De la Parra as executive producer.

Mi Alma Mexicana is the result of two years of extensive research by the dynamic 29-year-old Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra, who founded POA in 2004 and serves as the orchestra’s artistic director. ‘I wanted to make an album that really represents Mexico’s music,’ she said. ‘This project showcases the diverse styles and eras of Mexican music, ranging from Ibarra’s very contemporary sounding Sinfonía No. 2, to Castro’s nearly Wagnerian Intermezzo de Atzimba, to Ponce’s Spanish-influenced Concierto del Sur. Mexican orchestral music deserves a place in the core repertoire of every orchestra, and this album shows the wide range of musical styles and extraordinary artistry from my home country.’

De la Parra has gained widespread attention for her spellbinding and vibrant performances, making her one of the most compelling conductors of her generation. She holds the distinction of being the first woman from Mexico to conduct in New York City, and has been heralded by opera star Plácido Domingo as ‘an extraordinary conductor.’ Most recently, she was featured in Crain’s New York Business as one of their ’40 under 40 New York’s Rising Stars,’ and singled out in The Daily Beast as one of the ‘Young Rock stars of the Conducting World.’

The release of Mi Alma Mexicana follows the success of live performances of music from the album in New York and Los Angeles. In New York, the orchestra’s first performance of Mi Alma Mexicana at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall sold out, and a second concert – which also filled to capacity – was added due to high demand. In Los Angeles, the orchestra packed Walt Disney Concert Hall when it joined forces with Argentine-Uruguayan powerhouse music collective Bajofondo for an explosive evening presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In September 2010, POA will embark on a multi-city tour of Mexico to celebrate the album and the country’s Bicentennial.”

Giveaway time!

One lucky Contest Corner reader will win a copy of Mi Alma Mexicana (“My Mexican Soul”)! Here’s how to enter:

1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post mentioning why you’d like to win! This step is required to qualify for the drawing.

Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:

2. Write a post on your blog linking to this giveaway and Alondra de la Parra’s official website. Then come back here and leave me the link!
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