Tres Homenajes: Compadrazgo

For piano quintet. The word compadrazgo refers to a quintessentially Latin American idea. It signifies a special kind of camaraderie such as the bond between godparent and godchild or the friendliness between neighbors who might borrow sugar from one another. I find that this spirit is also essential to chamber music in all styles and genres as players depend on one another to bring their performance to life. In honor of compadrazgo, I've composed three tributes (tres homenajes) that are all inspired by Latin American idioms, yet explore different ways in which the players relate to one another. — Gabriela Lena Frank