I composed Para que otros vivan (‘So that others may live’) in 2006, following the tradition of the Venezuelan vals. The work is dedicated to my elder brother Francisco who died tragically at the age of 21 while engaged in a rescue mission during a natural disaster in Venezuela in 1971. The title of the piece is derived from the motto of the organization (Grupo de Rescate Venezuela) to which my brother belonged at the time of the accident.
 
The music displays a mixture of tonal melodies dressed with contrapuntal textures, hemiolas and chromatic harmonies to create a work with an intensely lyrical and dramatic character. The musical identity of the Venezuelan vals is mostly derived from the presence –explicit or implicit– of the following rhythmic cell, which differs from the typical three quarter-note rhythmic pattern that is so characteristic of the European waltz.
 
For performance purposes, it is important to understand that there is a close connection between this rhythmic cell and the basic pattern of the dance steps of the Venezuelan vals. For a more detailed explanation you are welcome to read Part 5 (“The valses: La Gatica”) of my series of articles entitled “The Works for Solo Guitar by Antonio Lauro – Analysis and Interpretation”, published in Classical Guitar Magazine (June 1995).
 
 
More about L.Zea at www.zeaguitar.com
 
 
This music served as the starting point for an expanded and more elaborate version of the Vals which became part of my Tríptico de Aarhus, a three-movement work for guitar ensemble commissioned by Peter Strömgren, Director of the Aarhus International Guitar Festival in Denmark. The work was premiered during the 2014 edition of the event.