The Immigration Suite is a collection of ten tangos that examine different facets of life as an immigrant. The overarching narrative follows a somewhat analogous journey to that of seasonal changes and personal growth. Espera is about the survival demand for patience and endurance that one ought to have when dealing with the uncertainties of the immigration process. Ultimately, this suite is about resilience and letting go of the past, and tango offers a unique medium to showcase the sense of finding solace in the face of despair. Luis Ramirez Quintet is: Lucia Barcari (Violin) Heyni Solera (Bandoneon) Soohyun Nam (Cello) Shannon Wojewoda (Double Bass) Luis Ramirez (Piano) The creation of this suite was generously funded by the Ontario Arts Council. May 1, 2022 The Heliconian Hall, Toronto ON

Sonata no. 7 op. 83 in Bb - Sergei Prokofiev I.Allegro inquieto 0:01 II. Andante caloroso 8:50 III. Precipitato 15:33 Final Graduation Recital for Master of Music degree Luis Ramirez, piano Brandon University Lorne Watson Recital Hall April 18th 2016, 7pm

The Immigration Suite is a collection of ten tangos that examine different facets of life as an immigrant. The overarching narrative follows a somewhat analogous journey to that of seasonal changes and personal growth. Infierno is the peak of frustration and rage throughout this journey and denotes the hellish nature of helplessness and coping with the circumstances. Ultimately, this suite is about resilience and letting go of the past, and tango offers a unique medium to showcase the sense of finding solace in the face of despair. Brandon Chamber Players Kerry DuWors (Violin) Catherine Wood (Clarinet) Laura Jones (Cello) Chris Jones (Double Bass) Luis Ramirez (Piano) The creation of this suite was generously funded by the Ontario Arts Council. March 31, 2023 City Hall, Brandon, MB, Canada

Sonata no. 30 op. 109 in E - Ludwig van Beethoven I. Vivace ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo 0:08 II. Prestissimo 3:16 III. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo 5:50 Final Graduation Recital for Master of Music degree Luis Ramirez, piano Brandon University Lorne Watson Recital Hall April 18th 2016, 7pm

Anton Dvorak's Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 87, movements III. Allegro moderato, grazioso and IV. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo. Performed at the Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival 2016's Festival Finale concert on Sunday, August 21st, 2016. Featuring Luis Ramirez, piano (Brandon, MB); Maria Cherwick, violin (St. John's, NL); Karen Duong, viola (Toronto, ON); and Amy Collyer-Holmes, cello (Toronto, ON).

Estampes - Claude Debussy I. Pagodes 0:09 II. La soirée dans Grenade 5:53 III. Jardins sous la pluie 10:41 Final Graduation Recital for Master of Music degree Luis Ramirez, piano Brandon University Lorne Watson Recital Hall April 18th 2016, 7pm

Lyric - George Walker (1922 - 2018) arranged for piano by Luis Ramirez The classical music world is overwhelmingly white and male. It is embarrassing to admit that it was only a few years ago when I understood how problematic this systemic racism is, but I want to take action and improve things within my field. I wrote this arrangement for piano of George Walker's "Lyric", a beautiful piece of music that I thought would be an appropriate counterpoint to the chaotic state of the present world. I am hopeful that times are changing, and I hope you consider incorporating and advocating for the music of marginalized communities in your performances. Dedicated to the victims of police abuse. #BlackLivesMatter https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Conlon Nancarrow (1912-1997) was an American-Mexican composer who wrote almost exclusively for player piano. This allowed him to explore complexity in rhythmic and melodic writing beyond what is humanly possible, due to the mechanical nature of the instrument. He was an extremely influential composer and one of the earliest examples of human-machine collaboration for making music. This piece is his Study no. 21 for Player Piano, written between 1961 and 1965 and also known as Canon X. Both hands are playing the exact same sequence of notes, but the right hand begins at a fast tempo and decelerates while the left hand begins slowly and accelerates towards an impossibly fast tempo. I wondered what it would look like to physically perform his music. It was a fun quarantine project and I hope you enjoy it! Performed and edited by Luis Ramirez https://www.cutza.xyz