work— and for revisiting older works that haven’ t been performed in years. At Tanglewood, they’ ll be playing my flute concerto, Altar de viento, which was only ever performed once. I just revised the score. Hearing it again helps me grow as an artist.” That growth, she hopes, will be a powerful catalyst of social change.“ These students who are future composers and performers— they need to know that. Music is not just entertainment. It’ s a form of activism.”
As she prepares to lead one of the most ambitious contemporary music festivals in the world, Ortiz remains grounded.“ I depend on performers. I depend on institutions. Music doesn’ t exist until it’ s played,” she says.“ It’ s isolated when you compose— but then it becomes collective.”
Asked what advice she would give to young Latin American composers hoping to follow in her footsteps, Ortiz doesn’ t hesitate.“ First, passion. Without passion, you’ re in the wrong profession,” she says.“ But you also need discipline. Music isn’ t a sport. You have to practice every day and live your life. Intensely. Fall in love. Take walks. Smell the trees. Everything can be part of your creativity. Above all— listen. To yourself. In silence. That’ s when you begin to really hear the music.” n
Zhaoyuan Qin performed United Underdog by Leila Adu-Gilmore in Tanglewood ' s Ozawa Hall during the July 2024 Festival of Contemporary Music.( Hilary Scott)
The Festival of Contemporary Music, July 24 to 28, will be at Tanglewood’ s Seiji Ozawa Hall and Studio E., Linde Center for Music and Learning. Go to bso. org / tanglewood for the lineup and more.
Country Rock hit-makers pure prairie league thu jul 3 at 8pm
Channeling the spirits of soul, rock and R & B
marc broussard fri jul 11 at 8pm
Curt Hanson, Goldenrod, oil on panel, 28” x 38”
71 Spring Street, Williamstown, MA 01267 413.884.6926 | www. greylockgallery. com
Country music royalty rosanne cash wed jul 23 at 8pm
Prolific comedian and creative paul reiser fri jul 25 at 8pm
14 & 20 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA • mahaiwe. org
82 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday August July 2025 2025 2023