https://www.migueldelaguila.com/ 06 Cutting Limes for solo violin CD - LUCES AUSENTES Benjamín Harris plays Miguel del Águila Chamber Music for Double Bass LUCES AUSENTES CD features bassist Benjamín Harris performing new chamber works and arrangements by three-time Grammy nominated, American composer Miguel del Águila. The double bass is present in most of the works which explore the various capabilities of the instrument in different ensemble settings expanding the double bass repertoire of classical chamber music with Latin American influence. The featured work, Luces Ausentes honors and remembers the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “lights” that went absent), while also depicting the somber mood felt by many during these difficult times. TRACKS 01: Tensando for violin, bass and piano 02: Luces Ausentes for flute, bass, and violin 03: Malambo for flute, bass and piano 04: Silence for bass and piano 05: Presto a Dos for cello and bass 06: Cutting Limes for solo violin 07: Invisibles for solo piano Benjamín Harris, double bass Jan Bratos, piano - Lenka Smolkakova, flute Francisco L.de Guevara/Aisha Corona, violin Christine Lamprea, cello Jorge Mazurik, recording & postproduction engineer Miguel del Águila, additional postproduction/mastering Benjamín Harris/Miguel del Águila, production Ángel Ramírez, Graphic design Cover (cover photo Perseo Bernal) music: Miguel del Aguila (BMI) publisher: Miguel del Aguila. © Copyright by Miguel del Aguila. All Rights Reserved for All Countries. Recorded 2020 at Sala Tlaqná - Xalapa, Mexico This recording was made possible by the generous support of The Sphinx Organization. Special Thanks to Sala Tlaqná for providing recording venue. Benjamin Harris Began his musical studies at the "Instituto superior de Música del Estado de Veracruz" (ISMEV) in Xalapa Veracruz Mexico. He later continued studies at The Juilliard School with Professor Eugene Levinson where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Music as a recipient of the Bidu Sayao, Miriam Klein, Alfred E. Lyon and Dorothy Lyon scholarships. He continued his studies receiving a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of Professor Scott Dixon and Professor Derek Zadinsky as a recipient of the Sphinx scholarship. In 2008 he gave his debut as a soloist with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra as a result of winning 1st place in the junior division of the previous year's concerto competition. In February of 2009, he won 2nd place in the 12th annual Sphinx Competition Senior Division in Detroit Michigan. In 2012, he participated in the Johan Mathias Sperger International Solo Double Bass Competition reaching the semifinal round. Years later, In October of 2020, he receives an Honorary Diploma from the Double Bass division of the Kharkiv Assemblies International Music Competition in the Ukraine. In 2021 Benjamin is awarded the first place in the regional round of the world vision classic @ home international music contest. He has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras and ensembles as well as given solo recitals across the United States and Mexico. He has also participated in various educational outreach activities for the Sphinx Organization in Universities and music programs throughout the United States. Benjamin has performed as principal double bass of The Juilliard Orchestra, CIM Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of the Americas and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has also been a section member of Mexico's Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (OSN), Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería (OSM), and is currently a member of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa (OSX). Miguel del Águila Three-time Grammy nominated American composer Miguel del Aguila has established himself among the most distinctive composers of his generation with 135 works that combine drama, driving rhythms and nostalgic nods to his Latin roots. His music has been hailed as “brilliant and witty” (N.Y. Times) and “sonically dazzling” (L.A. Times). He is currently composer-in-residence with Denmark’s Ensemble Storstrøm, following a 2020 residency with Orchestra of the Americas. New and upcoming releases of his works include CDs by Norwegian Radio Orchestra; the Louisiana Philharmonic, Augusta Symphony, Cuarteto Latinoamericano, and the Eroica Trio. 2020-2021 collaborations include performances by Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, São Paulo Dance Company, and Stavanger Symphoniorchestrer, Norway. He has received a Kennedy Center Friedheim Award, the Copland Foundation and Lancaster Symphony Composer of the Year award. His music, recorded on 52 CDs. He graduated from San Francisco Conservatory and Vienna’s Universität für Musik