Adagio de las Tres y Diez

Richard Scofano

With this work, I continue my exploration of contemporary orchestral writing while further establishing the bandoneón as a true concert instrument—an expressive solo voice fully at home within today's classical music landscape. Having previously composed works for bandoneon and orchestra, I view Adagio de las Tres y Diez as part of an ongoing artistic journey to expand the instrument's presence within the concert repertoire.

Throughout the history of the concerto and orchestral tradition, the role of the soloist has most often belonged to instruments such as the violin, piano, cello, or guitar. Yet I believe the bandoneon deserves its place among them. Its lyrical depth, rich timbral palette, and extraordinary expressive range allow it to transcend its traditional associations and stand alongside the great solo voices of the concert hall, offering a distinctive musical identity capable of expressing the full spectrum of human emotion.

Adagio de las Tres y Diez traces the shadowed path of grief in memory of a beloved soul departed. From the cello's mournful murmur—a sound my father deeply cherished—the music unfolds through moments of profound sorrow and the fragile adjustments demanded by a world forever changed. Gradually, waves of nostalgia and quiet melancholy give way to acceptance, illuminating a remembrance that ultimately celebrates a life deeply loved.

The work was conceived in the aftermath of the irrevocable afternoon of March 26, 2020, when time seemed to stop at ten past three. In that moment, the title — Adagio de las Tres y Diez — came to me, together with the first spark of the melody that would become the heart of the work. What began as a fleeting musical idea gradually evolved into my way of transforming memory into enduring music. Through it, the bandoneon emerges not merely as a symbol of tradition, but as a compelling contemporary concert voice capable of conveying the most universal human emotions.

This recording reflects my ongoing commitment to expanding the concert repertoire for the bandoneon and to creating music that speaks with honesty, emotional depth, and artistic authenticity.

“Virtuosity is not about conquering time, but inhabiting it. Not about playing faster, but about giving every note a reason to exist.”