ALBUM
Seré Libre (2023)
Seré Libre brings two musical worlds together in highly original fashion. The eloquent compositions and pure and expressive vocals from multi-award-winning Venezuelan-Canadian artist Eliana Cuevas are enriched by a 27-piece orchestra in a unique meeting of classical and Afro-Venezuelan sounds that is genuinely thrilling.
Seré Libre marks a debut recording with the Angel Falls Orchestra — a new musical entity featuring some of the best and most versatile classical musicians in Canada — arranged, conducted, and produced by Juno Award-winning pianist Jeremy Ledbetter.
This is a work that can appeal equally to both classical and Latin music lovers with open ears receptive to a fresh sound executed with finesse and emotional power.
The seven tracks across Seré Libre showcase the intricate and layered elements of traditional Venezuelan music, often less known or understood in comparison to other Latin genres. “Being able to feature it in an orchestral setting like this was a dream come true,” Eliana says of the album’s impact. The mandate for the song selection was to choose compositions that had a deep personal significance for Eliana. Songs, ranging from covers of Venezuelan traditional, to Eliana’s own work draw inspiration from an array of social, personal and emotive themes - a deep yearning to witness improvement of the economic and political situation in Venezuela, living in the present moment, life after death, loss, love and beyond, all set against the lush widescreen sound of a full orchestra painting a bright and colourful musical canvas.
Slated as the second single is “Llegó,” a breezy and upbeat Latin jazz number featuring an inventive synth solo from Ledbetter.
The cornerstone song of Seré Libre is the title track. Translated as “I Shall Be Free,” it is a nine-minute epic journey that showcases the musical reach of the orchestra and Eliana’s passionate performance. “That is a song I dedicate to Venezuela,” says Cuevas, alluding to the troubled state of her homeland, “but it can also be interpreted as being about finding freedom from whatever is holding you back.”
Track Listing
- Seré Libre (Eliana Cuevas)
- Como Llora una Estrella (Antonio Carrillo)
- Caballo Viejo (Simón Díaz)
- Lamento (Eliana Cuevas)
- El Manantial (Eliana Cuevas)
- Nacerá (Eliana Cuevas)
- Llegó (Eliana Cuevas)
Personnel
- Vocals – Eliana Cuevas
- Conducted by Jeremy Ledbetter
- Concertmaster – Erika Raum
- 1st Violins – Clara Lee, Emily Kruspe, Hyo Jim, Sarah Kim, Sarah Fraser Raff
- 2nd Violins – Kathryn Sugden, Kenin McKay, Lenny Solomon, Liz Johnson
- Violas – Carolyn Blackwell, Rory McLeod, Shannon Knights
- Cellos – Amahl Arulanandam, Bryan Holt, Wendy Solomon
- Bass – Ross Macintyre
- Flute – Les Allt
- Oboe – Mark Rogers
- Clarinet – Vern Dorge
- Bassoon – Nadina Mackie Johnson
- Horns – Diane Doig, Scott Wevers
- Percussion – Juan Carlos Medrano
- Drumkit – Mark Kelso
- Piano – Robert Horvath
- Keyboard – Jeremy Ledbetter
- Contractor – Rebekah Wolkstein
The Angel Falls Orchestra
Production Team
- Recorded at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
- Recorded by Justin Gray and Patric McGroarty
- Mixed by Patric McGroarty
- Mastered by Justin Gray
- Produced by Jeremy Ledbetter
- Photography by Shane Gray
- Album Design by Kurt Firla
Thom Varey directed the production at the beautiful Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, with top audio engineers Justin Gray and Patric McGroarty.
