Please right-click on the following blue links to download the sheet music (scores & parts) and audio samples
· Danzas Latinoamericanas / Latin American Dances · I. Otoño en Buenos Aires / Autumn in Buenos Aires · II. Pan de Azúcar / Sugar Loaf · III. Atardecer Tapatío / Sunset in Guadalajara
· Commissioned by and dedicated to Mexican cellist Carlos Prieto · Length: 10 to 15 minutes for all 3 movements (depending on the version) · Mood: festive, lyrical, Latin, energetic · Movements: Three movements. They can be performed as a suite or independently · Description: Danzas Latinoamericanas is a suite inspired by dances from Argentina (tango), Brazil (bossa nova), and Mexico (jarabe). o 1. Otoño en Buenos Aires is a passionate tango that pays homage to the music of Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel. o 2. Pan de Azúcar is named after the famous mountain in Rio de Janeiro. It is inspired by Brazilian bossa nova. It echoes the sensuous music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Heitor Villa-Lobos. The melodies in this piece are expressive, melancholic and peaceful, with a general mood of "joyful serenity". o 3. Atardecer Tapatío is inspired by Mexican jarabe folk-dance music and the sound of “mariachi” bands. The music is worry-free, festive and full of life. It is a tribute to the composer’s homeland.
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
String Orchestra + Cello soloist	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1
				audio - movement #2
				audio - movement #3
String Orchestra (with piano) + Cello soloist	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
String Trio + Piano (violin, viola, cello, piano)	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello Ensemble (8 parts) For ensembles of 8 cellos	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video - movement #2
				audio - movement #3			video - movement #3
Cello Ensemble (8 parts) + Bass For ensembles of 8 cellos + Bass	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video - movement #2
				audio - movement #3			video - movement #3
Cello Ensemble (5 cellos)	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello Ensemble (4 parts) For ensembles of 4, 12, 16 and more cellos	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #3			video - movement #3
Cello Ensemble (4 parts + Bass) For ensembles of 4, 12, 16 and more cellos + Bass	score & parts (all 3 movements)
2 Cellos	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video - movement #2
				audio - movement #3			video - movement #3
2 Cellos + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello Solo	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video - movement #2
				audio - movement #3			video - movement #3
Cello + Viola	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video (all 3 movements)
				audio - movement #2
				audio - movement #3
Cello + Viola + Violin + Bassoon	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Violin	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video (all 3 movements)
				audio - movement #2
				audio - movement #3
Cello + Violin + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)						video (all 3 movements)
Cello + Viola + Violin + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Violin + Guitar	score & parts – movement #1
Cello + Violin + Flute	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Contrabass	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
Cello + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video (all 3 movements)
				audio - movement #3
Cello + Guitar	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
				audio - movement #2			video - movement #2
Cello + Guitar	score & parts (all 3 movements)			audio - movement #1			video - movement #1
Cello + Accordion	score & parts – movement #1
3
Cello + Flute	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Alto Saxophone	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Alto Saxophone + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)
Cello + Tenor Saxophone + Piano	score & parts - movement #2
Cello + Clarinet in Bb + Piano	score & parts (all 3 movements)
La Alborada de la Esperanza / The Dawn of Hope
· Commissioned by and dedicated to French cellist Sébastien Hurtaud · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: contemplative, lyrical · Description: "The Dawn of Hope" is a composition about the journey from darkness to light. Just as the light of the rising sun dissipates the darkness of the night, and fills us with the promise of a bright and beautiful new day, hope and compassion give light to life's challenges and remind us that we can overcome adversity and focuses on the hope of a better future. · Premiere: The piano and cello version was premiered by Sébastien Hurtaud and Pamela Hurtado as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11th, 2018. The version for cello and string orchestra was premiered during the World Youth Days in Panama on January 24th, 2019.  · Programming notes: This piece can be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Dawn of Hope”, “Limoncello”, “Crepúsculos” (Twilights) o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Dawn of Hope”, “Cherry Blossoms” o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Night Flower”, “The Dawn of Hope”
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Cello soloist + String Orchestra	score & parts			audio			video
Cello Solo	score & parts			audio			video
Cello Duet (2 cellos)	score & parts			audio			video
Cello Trio (2 cellos + Piano)	score & parts
Cello Ensemble (4 parts) For ensembles of 4, 12, 16 and more cellos	score & parts			audio			video
Cello Ensemble (5 cellos)	score & parts
Cello Ensemble (8 parts) For ensembles of 8 cellos	score & parts
Cello + Violin	score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Violin + Piano	score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Violin + Guitar	score & parts
Cello + Viola	score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Piano	score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Guitar	score & parts
Cello + Flute	score & parts
Cello + Oboe	score & parts
Cello + Soprano Saxophone	score & parts
Cello + Alto Saxophone	score & parts
Cello + Alto Saxophone + Piano	score & parts
Unter dem Sternenhimmel des Rheins Under the starry sky of the Rhein / Bajo el cielo estrellado del Rín
· Commissioned by and dedicated to Benedict Klöckner · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: epic, cinematic, lyrical · Description: This piece was commissioned by German cellist Benedict Klöckner as a companion piece for Bach’s Cello Suites. The composer was particularly inspired by maestro Klöckner’s performance of the Gigue in Bach’s Cello Suite #6, and even incorporates some quotes from that piece in his composition. In his attempt to include other elements that referenced maestro Klöckner’s homeland in Rhineland-Palatinate, he was inspired by the evocative landscapes and medieval castles of the region. · Premiere: Benedict Klöckner premiered this piece on July 5^th, 2020 at Schloss Burg Namedy in Andernach, Germany.
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Orchestra & Cello Soloist	Please email the composer
Cello solo	score & parts			audio			video
2 Cellos	score & parts
Cello & Violin	score & parts			audio			video
Cello & Viola	score & parts
Die Nachtblume / The Night Flower / La Flor Nocturna
· Length: 4 minutes · Mood: contemplative, lyrical, tender · Note: This is the second movement of “The Legend of the Noble Knight”. It works very well as an independent piece. · Description: The composer was inspired by the poems of Baron Joseph von Eichendorff, and in particular, by the idea of the delicate and elusive “blue flower” that represents the balance of humanity with nature and spirituality. This piece attempts to provide a musical commentary about the ephemeral beauty and significance of The Night Flower (Die Nachtblume). · Premiere: Cellist Benedict Klöckner and violinist Yury Revich premiered this piece on July 11^th, 2020 at Kloster Eberbach in Eltville am Rhein, Germany.  · Programming notes: This piece can be performed independently, or in its original setting, as the second movement of “The Legend of the Noble Knight”. Moreover, this piece can also be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Night Flower”, “The Dawn of Hope”
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Orchestra & Cello Soloist	Please email the composer
Cello & Violin	score & parts			audio			video
Cello & Viola	score & parts			audio			video
Cello & Flute	score & parts
Cello & Oboe	score & parts			audio			video
Cello & Guitar	score & parts
Piano + Cello + Flute	score & parts
Piano + Cello + Violin	score & parts
Die Legende des edlen Ritters The Legend of the Noble Knight / La Leyenda del Noble Caballero · I. Unter dem Sternenhimmel des Rheins / Under the starry sky of the Rhine · II. Die Nachtblume / The Night Flower · III. Der Triumph des edlen Ritters / The Triumph of the Noble Knight · IV. Einheit und Hoffnung / Unity and Hope
· Commissioned by and dedicated to Benedict Klöckner · Length: 15 minutes · Mood: epic, cinematic, lyrical · Movements: Suite in four movements · Description: o 1. Under the starry sky of the Rhine. This movement was originally written as a stand-alone piece and was commissioned by German cellist Benedict Klöckner as a companion piece for Bach’s Cello Suites. The composer was particularly inspired by Mr. Klöckner’s performance of the Gigue in Bach’s Cello Suite #6, and even incorporates some quotes from that piece in his composition. In his attempt to include other elements that referenced Mr. Klöckner’s homeland in Rhineland-Palatinate, he was inspired by the evocative landscapes and medieval castles of the region, as well as the legends associated with them. o 2. The Night Flower. Inspired by the poems of Baron Joseph von Eichendorff led him to becoming enamored with the idea of the delicate and elusive “blue flower” that represents the balance of humanity with nature and spirituality. The second movement attempts to provide a musical comment about the ephemeral beauty and significance of the night flower. o 3. The Triumph of the Knight. This movement uses the Gregorian Chant Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) and variations of it to represent the chant of the Lorelei, in an attempt to incorporate the legend of the unfortunate maiden-turned-enchantress associated with one of the geologic features of the banks of the Rhine. o 4. Unity and Hope. This movement synthesizes the various musical and extra-musical themes introduced throughout the piece, bringing back, among other things, the melodies associated with the Bach Gigue from the Cello Suite #6. · Premiere: The violin and cello duet version of this piece was premiered by cellist Benedict Klöckner and violinist Yury Revich, on July 11^th, 2020 at Kloster Eberbach in Eltville am Rhein, Germany. The premiere of the cello concerto version is scheduled for 2023.
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Orchestra & Cello Soloist (cello soloist, strings, 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 trumpet, 1 horn, timpani, triangle and bells)	Please email the composer to obtain the score for this CELLO CONCERTO			audio			video
String Orchestra (percussion optional) & Cello Soloist (cello soloist, strings, timpani, triangle and bells)	Please email the composer to obtain the score for this CELLO CONCERTO
Cello & Violin	score & parts			audio			video
				audio
				audio
				audio
Cello & Viola	score & parts
2 Cellos	score & parts
Mondnacht / The Night of the Moon / La Noche de la Luna
· Commissioned by Benedict Klöckner · Dedicated to Benedict Klöckner, Yury Revich and Danae Dörken · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: cinematic, lyrical · Description: The composer was inspired by the poem “Mondnacht” by Baron Joseph von Eichendorff and the idea of the light of the moon shimmering on the surface of a gently flowing river. This is a piece about how people can find beauty and serenity in life, in spite of seemingly unsurmountable difficulties. The light of the moon projecting its silver shimmery beauty onto the peaceful surface of a river, in spite of the turbulent undercurrent. · Premiere: The cello, violin and piano trio version of this piece was premiered by cellist Benedict Klöckner, violinist Yury Revich and pianist Danae Dörken, on July 11^th, 2021 at the Rhein Mosel Halle in Koblenz, Germany. · Programming notes: This piece can be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Dawn of Hope”, “Cherry Blossoms” o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Night Flower”, “The Dawn of Hope”
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Piano, Cello & Violin	score & parts			audio			video
Piano, Cello & Clarinet	score & parts
Cherry Blossoms / Cerezos en Flor
· Dedicated to Benedict Klöckner and Clémence de Forceville · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: cinematic, lyrical · Description: This is a piece about grace in the face of great sorrow, and how the simplest most delicate things in life can sometimes produce the deepest effects in our hearts. · Programming notes: This piece can be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Night of the Moon”, “The Dawn of Hope”, “Cherry Blossoms”
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Piano, Cello & Violin	score & parts			audio			video
Piano, Cello & Alto Saxophone	score & parts
Piano & Cello	score & parts
Cantabrigian Reflections / Reflexiones de Cambridge
· Commissioned and dedicated by maestros Carlos Prieto and Yo-Yo Ma. · Length: 5 minutes · Description: The title of the piece makes reference to Cambridge, a city that has played an important role in the lives of Yo-Yo Ma, Carlos Prieto and José Elizondo. In the words of the composer: « One of my sources of inspiration was my memories of the Charles River in Cambridge. The reflections of the trees and skyline are modified and "recreated" by the gentle waves, sometimes becoming a bit fuzzier but sometimes transforming themselves into something that can be even more fanciful and interesting than the original image. When one reflects upon things, our experience of memories can be a little bit like that too, since our memories don’t simply capture snapshots of reality, but rather of an interpretation of reality that has been modified, distorted or enhanced by our minds, according to our outlook and life experience. The conversation between the two cellos in this piece sometimes uses imitation to evoke the idea of images and their reflections. The melodic "images" are sometimes reflected accurately and sometimes modified or expanded. These musical motives and their reflections can be complementary, or their differences might propel each other in unexpected directions, but they always keep flowing gently, like a river. The cello melodies are sprinkled with longer high notes that are like the shimmering sun light caressing the surface of the water. Since this piece was written in 2020, I wanted to write a piece that is positive, warm and uplifting, like a gentle caress that compassionately embraces the listener in consolation of all people went through during 2020. It is a composition that gently invites us to have a moment of serene, optimistic reflection, but also gratitude for those shimmering moments that we still have in our lives. This piece is in the key of G (the note G is also known as “sol”, which means ”sun” in Spanish) so I clearly wanted to write something sunny and luminous. At the very heart of this piece, the “current” of this piece takes us to a place where we hear 8 measures from the Minuet in Bach’s monumental Cello Suite #1. It is meant as an homage to Bach, but also to maestros Prieto and Ma. The first time I heard the Bach suites (live or in a recording) was during a concert that maestro Prieto gave in Boston in the late 90s. That concert inspired me and changed my life. And of course, maestro Ma's recordings of Bach's Suites are iconic and have accompanied me and comforted my soul in many important moments of my life. Since this takes inspiration from a physical river, I also wanted to pay homage to the greatest “river” of all in Classical Music: J. S. Bach, (Bach means “brook” or “stream” in German). His music is an endless source of inspiration and awe. »
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
2 Cellos	Score and parts will be available after the premiere TBD
Hacia Belén (Towards Betlehem)
· Dedicated to Julie Reimann and Ellyses Kuan · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: playful, energetic · Description: This is not an original composition, but rather a playful and fanciful arrangement of a well-known Christmas Carol from the XVIII Century by Antonio Soler (“Hacia Belén va una burra, rin rin”). This arrangement presents a fun and unexpected take on the Christmas carol that requires virtuosity from the pianist and the cellist, and can be very good as an ice-breaker or a closing piece in a Christmas program. · Premiere: Recording by Julie Reimann and Ellyses Kuan, June 2022
VERSION	SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Piano & Cello	score & parts			audio			video
Crepúsculos / Twilights / Alpenglow
· Commissioned by and dedicated to Turkish flutist Sefika Kutluer · Length: 4:30 minutes · Mood: contemplative, lyrical · Description: Alpenglow is a specific type of twilight, consisting of a magical pinkish or orange light that appears at the top of the Alps right before the sun goes down. The piece is sweet but melancholic, with some elements of minimalist and impressionist inspiration. In the versions with piano, the piano plays a "moto perpetuo". This continuous stream of sound is sometimes sweet and tender, other times more angular, and sometimes it quotes the Gregorian chant of death, the "Dies Irae". It's meant to represent the inexorable passing of time, which includes moments of joy, sorrow, mourning, etc. The main melody of the soloist instrument is meant to be a comforting, warm and consoling presence that accompanies the listener in this meditation about life and death. The intention of the piece is to evoke a moment of joyful serenity. · Premiere: Sefika Kutluer, flute soloist. Ankara String Ensemble. December 25^th, 2019 · Programming notes: This piece can be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Dawn of Hope”, “Limoncello”, “Crepúsculos” (Twilights)
VERSION			SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO		YOUTUBE VIDEO
String Orchestra (with piano) + Cello soloist			score / parts
String Orchestra + Cello soloist			score & parts
Cello + Piano			score & parts			audio		video
Cello solo			score & parts			audio		video
Limoncello
· Dedicated to Mexican cellist Carlos Prieto · Length: 4 minutes · Mood: light, serenely joyful · Description: Limoncello is a very sweet, peaceful, lyrical and tonal piece. It was written at the same time as “The Dawn of Hope” and “Crepúsculos” (Twilights), after the composer had lost someone very dear to him. While “The Dawn of Hope” is about acknowledging the challenges in life, but using the transforming energy of love and compassion to find hope for the future, Limoncello is about that moment in which one can smile again after a tragedy, and see the beauty of life again. “Crepúsculos” is a meditation about the inexorable passing of time. Even though “Limoncello” is "sunnier" and brighter than the other two pieces, it evokes a sense of noble gentleness and tenderness. · Premiere: Lowell Chamber Orchestra, Orlando Cela flute soloist and conductor. December 2019 (recording), January 2021 (album release). · Programming notes: This piece can be performed as a suite in combination with other compositions by Elizondo. For example: o “The Dawn of Hope”, “Limoncello”, “Crepúsculos” (Twilights)
VERSION		SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
String Orchestra (with optional piano) + Cello soloist		score & parts
Cello + Flute		score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Alto Saxophone		score & parts
Cello + Violin		score & parts			audio			video
Cello + Viola		score & parts
Cello + Piano		score & parts			audio			video
Cello solo		score & parts			audio			video
2 Cellos		score & parts
Estampas Mexicanas / Mexican Vignettes I. I. Ferial (Parade) II. II. Danza del Pájaro Sagrado (Dance of the sacred bird) III.Teotlalli (Land of Gods)
· Length: 10 minutes total for all 3 movements (each movement approximately 3 mins) · Mood: festive, joyful, Mexican, energetic, rhythmic · Movements: Suite in 3 movements. The first and third movements can be performed independently. · Description: Estampas Mexicanas is a suite featuring Mexican folk elements. The composer was inspired by the rhythmic vitality of the music of Carlos Chávez, the ritualistic mysticism of the works of Silvestre Revueltas, and the lyrical melodies of Manuel M. Ponce. o 1. Ferial is a festive parade of simple, colorful, folk-like tunes and rhythms. The opening of this movement pays homage to composer Carlos Chávez, paraphrasing the opening measures of his "Sinfonía India". But in contrast to Chávez’ work, Elizondo uses this rhythmic material in a lighter manner to propel a set of simple tuneful melodies, and to create a festive tapestry of sounds. o 2. Danza del Pájaro Sagrado is an imagined Aztec ritual invocation of the sacred bird. The orchestration is sparse and symbolic. o 3. Teotlalli includes a celebratory statement of this movement’s main theme in a symphonic version of the mariachi band. The mood for this movement is energetic and full of life. · Premiere: The first performance of this piece was on December 9^th, 1995 with the MIT Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Epstein (reading conducted by Alan Pierson). The professional premiere of this piece was on July 6^th, 1996 with the San Jose Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonid Grin.
VERSION		SCORE AND PARTS			SAMPLE AUDIO			YOUTUBE VIDEO
Cello + Viola + Violin + Flute		score & parts (movement #1)
Cello Ensemble