Finding connections in Latino, classical music

The Pasadena Symphony embarks on an exploration of classical music’s Latin roots with its new series “Clasica, las Raices de la Musica,” opening tonight from 6 to 8 at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.

Two years in the planning, the free series, funded by the James Irvine Foundation, is a way for the Pasadena Symphony Assn. “to reach deeper into the Latino community,” said Jerri Price, the organization’s director of education and community engagement, and invite people to see that Latin music “has not only been around for a long time but has inspired classical music as well.”

There will be nine more “Clasica” concerts over the next year at yet-to-be-announced venues throughout Southern California, Price said, with an emphasis on professional, bilingual local artists who will perform and talk to audiences about how classical music is connected to the music they play.

“These are classical-trained musicians who are also inspired by their own traditions and culture, and they can bring this to light at the concerts,” she noted.

Tonight’s inaugural performance, “Playing Through Time,” includes flamenco guitarist Luis Villegas; folklorico ensemble MEXIKA, with percussionists Martin Espino and Christopher Garcia; and Xoloitzcuintli, Jarocho Conjunto, an ensemble specializing in the music of Veracruz. Stage and film actor-writer Enrique Castillo will host.

By making this community outreach series accessible to classical music newcomers, the hope is that some will check out the symphony itself in the future.

The program “definitely crosses borders,” said Villegas. “We’re expecting a very diverse audience.”

“Music is music,” Espino added. “One single note doesn’t have a color or a race. We’re showing that different types of ensembles -- orchestral, indigenous, folklorico, whatever word you want to use -- can all be played under the same roof. It’s not the same old stereotypes anymore. It’s a bigger world.”