Duo Powers - De La Torre - Blue Samba (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Head for the Exit, Op. 137, for Piano Four-Hands
02. Pianola Rebelde, Op. 127b, for Piano Four-Hands
03. Charango Capriccioso, Op. 90a, for Piano Four-Hands and String Quintet
04. Blue Samba, Op. 139, for Piano Four-Hands
05. Music in a Bottle, Op. 67, for Piano Solo
06. Malambo, Op. 115g, for Piano Four-Hands
07. Conga, Op. 39, for Piano Solo

Blue Samba is the debut album from Duo Powers-de la Torre (Lark Powers and Ricardo de la Torre, piano), devoted entirely to the music of Uruguayan-American composer Miguel del Aguila – much of it arranged or written expressly for this recording, in close collaboration with the composer himself.

Across seven works spanning thirty years, from the Andean-flavored Charango Capriccioso (with string quintet) to the title track's swing-into-samba, the album traces del Aguila's Pan-Latin musical language. Head for the Exit, Pianola Rebelde, and Blue Samba are all world-premiere recordings. Two solo pieces, Music in a Bottle and Conga, feature each pianist alone. Recorded at Pacific Lutheran University's Lagerquist Concert Hall with del Aguila as artistic producer, Blue Samba is the record of a genuine friendship between composer and performers, one that began when Ricardo first heard this music as a student in Mexico City.