Canto Caló is the enrapturing debut album by New Mexican composer Nicolás Lell Benavides. Featuring mezzo-soprano Melinda Martinez Becker and Friction Quartet, this release encompasses two major works exploring New Mexican identity, ancestral memories of grandparents, and how those live and breathe within us, cultural connections over generations and what is lost and gained when we revisit our roots.
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Download: Digital Booklet
LISTEN
1-5. Canto Caló (Composed by Nicolás Lell Benavides. Texts by Nicolás Lell Benavides, Melinda Martinez Becker, and Gilbert Benavides)
Melinda Martinez Becker, mezzo-soprano
Friction Quartet
6-9. El Correcaminos (Composed by Nicolás Lell Benavides.)
Friction Quartet
“Overall, Canto Caló is deeply moving, and the love and attention Benavides and his collaborators have for New Mexico and its people is irresistible.”
“A fascinating introduction to the significant voice of Nicolás Lell Benavides; and also a reminder of the excellence of the Friction Quartet.”
CREDITS
Nicolás Lell Benavides, composer
Friction Quartet
Kevin Rogers, violin
Otis Harriel, violin
Mitso Floor, viola
Doug Machiz, cello
Melinda Martinez Becker, mezzo soprano
Zach Miley, engineer
Cory Todd, recording engineer
Zach Herchen, mastering engineer
Samantha Godoy, album design
Recorded at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (Bowes Center).
El Correcaminos was commissioned by Friction Quartet.
Canto Caló was commissioned by New Moon Duo with support from InterMusicSF. Written for Melinda Martinez Becker & Anne Rainwater with support from InterMusicSF, The American Composers Forum, NewMusicUSA (Creator Development Fund), and The Alice M. Ditson Recording Fund.