Great Wall of Los Angeles (San Francisco Classical Voice)

“Nicolás Lell Benavides’s ¡AGUAS! responded to the Zoot Suit Riots with powerful brass writing and rhythmic surges occupying the space between dance and danger. In a clever moment of orchestration, what began as the tight wooden pulse of claves unfolded into a melodic line on the xylophone. The music’s intensity seemed to echo the violent history depicted in the mural.”