Their unique blend of South American and classical

“The Alturas Duo are the
quintessential 21st century artists.”
- Christopher Zimmerman, Music
Director, The Fairfax Symphony
Orchestra
“…Their unique blend of South American and
classical music for guitar, viola and charango is
incomparable…”
- Russ De Angelo, Director, La Guitarra
California Festival
Carlos Boltes (Viola and Charango) - Scott Hill (Guitar)
Represented by MacRae Management
www.MacRaeManagement.com 1-202-200-1830
Sending rhythmic vibrations straight to the
heart of audience members with their ground
breaking musical presentations, the Alturas Duo
is the only group of its kind, and has been
recognized as one of the most entertaining and
engaging ensembles performing in the chamber
music world today.
Hailed as playing with “…Marvelous virtuosity…”
by the Washington Post, the Duo blends a fiery
mix of South American and classical music by
bringing together the unusual combination of
the guitar, viola and charango. In doing so, they
offer passionate programs that moves at ease
between the Baroque, South American folk
rhythms, and new pieces written especially for
the Duo.
The word Alturas is derived from the poem
“Alturas de Macchu Picchu” by the Chilean poet
Pablo Neruda (1904-1973), and in English
means “heights”. The performances of Scott
Hill (guitar) and Carlos Boltes (charango and
viola) oscillate from the beautiful and serene to
strong and pulsating, taking audiences on a
journey to new musical heights.
Alturas Duo has appeared extensively in Brazil,
Canada, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, and throughout
the United States including performances at
Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, the Smithsonian
Institute, the Music Mountain Chamber Music
Series, the 34th International Viola Congress,
the festival Internacional de Flautistas en el
Centro del Mundo, the Baltimore Classical
Guitar Society, and La Guitarra California.
Alturas Duo performing with Ernesto Cavour in La
Paz, Bolivia
The Duo has won numerous awards including
First Prize at the New England International
Chamber Music Competition, and the CMA /
ASCAP (Chamber Music America/American
Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
Award for Adventurous Programming.
The Alturas Duo serves as a "Goodwill
Ambassador" for the Chilean-American
Foundation and as “Artist in Residence” for
Intake, an organization whose goal is to
incorporate native South American instruments
in different styles of music.
The upcoming concert season will see the Duo
maintaining a busy schedule of concerts, master
classes and lectures including premieres by
Arthur Hernandez, Dan Lis and Masatora Goya,
Russell Nadel and performances in Chile,
Bolivia, Ecuador and throughout the United
States.
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
- REPERTOIRE -
motion pictures arranged for the duo, selections
from their albums “Blue Solitude” and “El vuelo
de tu alma”, and many other classical, folk and
contemporary works.
The Alturas Duo - Scott Hill (guitar) & Carlos Boltes
(viola and charango)
Since its creation, the Duo has worked closely
with many composers and has premiered
dozens of commissions, arrangements and
transcriptions including works by Horacio
Salinas, José Lezcano, Raimundo Penaforte,
Alexander Silas Walker, Ben Starr, David
McBride, and Ronald Pearl.
Most recently the Duo has premiered
"Concierto de los Andes" with the Fairfax,
Virginia Symphony Orchestra and “El vuelo de
tu alma” with the New Orchestra of
Washington, both by the esteemed Chilean
composer, Javier Farías.
Whether playing as a duo or in collaboration
with other musicians and vocalists, the Alturas
Duo moves at ease from classical to folk to
contemporary compositions well suited for any
performance venue.
Past concerts have
included performances of the Telemann “Viola
Concerto”, “Partita” by Bach, music from major
Always in search of unique musical experiences,
the Duo has collaborated with artists as diverse
as: charango virtuoso Ernesto Cavour; guitarist
and composer Horacio Salinas; flutists Nicole
Esposito and Janet Arms; quena virtuoso
Marcelo Peña-Lobo; Uruguayan pianist Polly
Ferman and Argentine bandoneón legend,
Daniel Binelli; baritone, José Sacin; the Choral
Arts Society of Washington D.C., Coral Cantigas,
and the Voce Choir of Hartford.
Other collaborations have included the Nexaw
Project in which Alturas Duo teamed with
baroque music experts Rodrigo Tarraza
(baroque flute, E.W.I. (electric woodwind
instrument), sax, bansuri (Hindu Flute) and
Christina Gevert (harpsichord and keyboards).
This collaboration has presented the world
premiere performance of “Estancia al viento” by
Javier Farías, among other works. Additionally,
the Atacama Ensemble found the Alturas Duo
performing with Andean folkloric music experts
Roberto Clavijo (Pan flutes, percussion and
charango) and Gonzalo Cortez (Flutes from the
Andes and Pan Flutes).
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
- RECORDINGS “Immediately from the opening movement of Leo Brouwer‟s mood-orientated
piece, Paisajes, retratos y mujeres (Portraits, landscapes and woman), „Portrait
of Wagner and Mathilde‟, one is aware of three extraordinary musicians at
work.”
- Fanfare Magazine (Of the album Blue Solitude)
BLUE SOLITUDE
Blue Solitude, Alturas Duo’s newest album with flute virtuoso, Nicole
Esposito, features music by Brouwer, Assad, Penaforte, and arrangements
of Argentine, Peruvian and Chilean folk music for viola, guitar, charango
and flute.
EL VUELO DE TU ALMA
El vuelo de tu alma was composed for the Duo in 2006 by Javier Farías
(b. 1973) and was conceived as a tribute to the life and music of the
Chilean songwriter, musician, and theatre director, Victor Jara
(1932 -1973).
OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN
Alturas Duo’s collaboration with
soprano Louise Fauteux
MISA CRIOLLA
Alturas Duo’s award winning
collaboration with the Choral Arts
Society of Washington
A REPEAL of RETICENCE
The premiere recording of three
new compositions, by Thomas
Schuttenhelm, Jaime Romero and
Dan Román
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
-VIDEOSLinks to select performances of Alturas Duo are provided below.
Click anywhere on the picture and you will be redirected to the performance video on Youtube.
To view these and other videos directly, visit www.alturasduo.com
Please note: To access the video links below you must be connected to the internet
Alturas Duo performs their version of “Ventolera” the popular
South America folk tune from Quilapayún
Telemann Viola Concerto in
G Major Movement II
"El vuelo de tu alma" by
Javier Farías, Movements I &
II. Performed with the New
Orchestra Of Washington
"Oceana" composed for and
performed by Alturas Duo
and Voce Choir
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
-REVIEWS“The Alturas Duo is the quintessential 21st
century artists.
Not only are they two
energetic, inquisitive musicians who deliver first
rate performances, but the close and symbiotic
rapport between them mark their concerts as
particularly entertaining events. I have engaged
them twice with two different professional
orchestras and their rapport with the audience,
as well as subsequent feedback, has always
been positive.”
- Christopher Zimmerman, Music Director, The
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Alturas Duo with pianist Polly Ferman and
bandoneón legend Daniel Binelli
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you … for
providing to us what was an inspired and
dazzling performance by the Alturas Duo.
Carlos and Scott’s virtuosity mesmerized the
audience from the opening melodies to the final
chords and attendees left for the evening
feeling they had experienced something truly
special.”
-Matthew Katz, Director, York College
Performing Arts Center, The City University of
NY
“The concert the Alturas Duo put on was
outstanding, world class, and a special evening
for those who attended the performance. The
Alturas Duo is the real thing. What they have
tapped into is unique, dynamic and VERY
musical. There is real passion in their approach
and delivery. The fusion of South American and
Folk styles is very much their own and they
deserve a wide audience.”
-Peter Engisch, The Brick Church Music Series,
CT
"A concert by the Alturas Duo is a memorable
experience ... Their unique blend of South
American and classical music for guitar, viola
and charango is incomparable ... Their pure
joy and enthusiasm for this lively music is
immediately apparent and captivating.”
-Russ De Angelo, Director, La Guitarra
California Festival, CA
“The Alturas Duo … Scott Hill and Carlos Boltes
are not only outstanding musicians but their
stage presence, explanations about the music,
the variety of musical styles and their humor
made attending their concert a unique and
memorable event. Many audience members
wrote very positive comments and took the
time to thank me for bringing them to San
Jose, CA.”
-Jerry Snyder, President/Artistic Director of the
South Bay Guitar Society, CA
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
Alturas Duo performing with Voce Choir at
Brown University
“Voce was honored to work with Alturas Duo.
These gifted performers brought enormous
intelligence, musicality and energy to our
collaboration, inspiring Voce’s singers to
perform at their best.”
-Thomas F. Cooke II, Executive Director of Voce,
Inc., CT
“The Alturas Duo charmed the audience when
they performed a program of fiery and exciting
Latin music along with classics. The musical fare
was unusual, exhilarating, varied and always
alive with rhythm and sonority. The concert
was an artistic success and lived up to the high
quality of Vivace programming. We would
enthusiastically recommend this duo to other
concert series planners who seek alternatives to
the general fare.”
-Claire Levine, Co-Chair of the Birmingham
Temple Vivace Series, MI
“These outstanding individuals combine to
form a most unconventional Duo whose
unique blend reaches far beyond the
boundaries of traditional chamber music,
creating a sound that is both bold and original.”
-Dr. Thomas Schuttenhelm, Composer and
Faculty Member of Central Connecticut
State University
“The Alturas Duo blend brilliant musicianship,
historically
informed
playing,
and
communicative audience rapport to make
every concert an inspiring and enveloping
musical experience. Not only are [they]
virtuosic players, but they are also scholarly and
gifted communicators who establish a palpable
connection with the audience and with other
musicians…mak[ing] our musical collaborations
sparkle and our audiences dance.”
- Christopher Clowdus, Artistic Director, Empire
City Men’s Chorus, New York
“The synergy between the two artists
contributed greatly to the relaxed atmosphere
that gave the concert its charm.”
- Translated excerpt from a review of an Alturas
Duo concert presented by the Quebec City
Classical Guitar Society (original text in French).
“Your artistry is a highlight of this recording
and the performances by the choral
ensemble were raised to a higher level with
your participation.”
-Joseph Holt, Former Associate Conductor of
The Choral Arts Society of Washington, DC
“The Alturas Duo, exuding extreme poise and
refinement, performed brilliantly and with the
utmost dedication to their program.”
- Nicholas Ciraldo, Artistic Director of the
Boston Classical Guitar Society, MA
“Their combination of charango and guitar,
filled with innovation and virtuosity left me
captivated. Their incursions into classical and
Latin American repertoire are perfect.”
–Ernesto Cavour, charango virtuoso and
Director of the Museum of Musical Instruments
of Bolivia
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
March 21, 2007
Mountain Music
An Introduction to Instruments From the Andes
By Luz Lazo
The charango was a big hit at the National Museum of Natural History last
month.
As kids moved in for a closer look at the unfamiliar musical instrument, a
musician encouraged them: "Don't be afraid. Touch it."
The charango, a 10-stringed mandolin traditionally made with the shell
from an armadillo, was one instrument featured at the recent Smithsonian
Institution workshop on South American music.
Carlos Boltes
Some of the 500 kids who attended were fascinated by the four-foot-high
zampo?a, an ancient instrument made of wooden or bamboo pipes cut to different lengths. Other kids moved their
fingers in rhythm as Carmen de Vicente played castanets, a small percussion instrument made of wooden shells.
And the kids slapped their palms to the Afro-Latino beat of conga and bongo drums.
These instruments are familiar in the Andean countries of South America. The Andes are the world's longest
mountain range. They stretch for more than 4,000 miles along the western side of the continent and extend to
seven countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
The large area is very diverse, with influences from several cultures. As a result, "Andean music is a mix of the
indigenous [native], African and Spanish music," said Emily Key, education program manager at the Smithsonian.
Spanish explorers brought their music with them to the Americas, Key said. They also brought African slaves, who
had their own music. The descendants of these people combined the rhythms and made a new type of music.
Eleven-year-old Faith Walker of Alexandria said it was interesting to learn that wind and string instruments are
common in music from the Andean highlands; and
that some of the instruments, although made in the
Americas, were inspired by European instruments.
"The rhythms are all mixed," said Faith, who
plays drums at Browne Academy. "I really like the
beat."
For Jose Cruz, a sixth-grader at Harriet Tubman
Elementary School in Washington, the workshop
had a personal side. Jose is Latino but had never
heard of these instruments. He particularly liked
the charango. "It is cool how the guitar is made of
armadillo," he said.
Scott Hill, Carlos Boltes
Alturas Duo Wins 2010 CMA/ASCAP
Award For Adventurous Programming
Alturas Duo, comprised of Hartt Community Division Faculty Members Carlos
Boltes, viola, and Scott Hill, guitar, are recipients of the 2010 Chamber Music
America/American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Award for
Adventurous Programming. The Duo were presented the Award at the
Chamber Music America National Conference in New York City on Sunday,
January 17, 2010.
Boltes and Hill are former Hartt graduate
students. Each completed four years of
graduate study at Hartt. First each
completed a degree, on viola and guitar
respectively, during which time they
formed the duo, then they participated in a
two year graduate chamber music
residency program, working with the
members of the Emerson and
Miami String Quartets.
The CMA/ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming are presented
annually to ensembles and presenter/festivals that have demonstrated
extraordinary commitment to 20th- and 21st-century music, especially works
written in the past 25 years. These awards are given jointly by Chamber
Music America and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and
Publishers. For more information visit www.chamber-music.org.
The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the
University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music,
dance, and theatre. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master
classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year,
performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information on The
Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.
REVIEW: Alturas Duo
Austin360.com By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin | Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Austin Chamber Music Center’s annual free Hispanic Heritage Month Concert proved to be a
jewel Friday Night at Mexic-Arte Museum. The Alturas Duo delighted and enchanted with a
program that artfully combined the traditional Andean music that’s the Duo’s specialty, modern
compositions by Chilean composers and also some refreshing new arrangements of Baroque
selections as well as an impressive new composition.
The natural affability of violist Carlos Boltes and guitarist Scott Hill set a friendly and spirited tone
to the concert, presented in one gallery of Mexico-Arte Museum. The pair did what audiences
expect today in an intimate and informal chamber music setting: engage with brief and lively
explanations and stories about their repertoire, their journey as musicians, the Andean charangos
Boltes plays in addition to the viola.
Of course, their expressive virtuosity also resulted in sparkling concert.
With a flourish Boltes and Hill set the tone with a lively Andean folk songs. Then, flexing their
artistic range, the duo presented Hill’s arrangement of Telemann’s Concerto for Violin and
Orchestra that re-imagined for viola and guitar. Not only did the Hill’s arrangement breath fresh
air into Telemann’s sometimes busy Baroque stylings, it also made a salient musicological point:
there’s much in common between Andean folk music as its known today and the Baroque
influences brought by the European conquerors of the Americas.
“Suite Atacama” proved a highlight of the evening. A thoughtful arrangement of pieces by modern
Chilean composers artfully arranged to be a four-movement musical homage to the Chile’s stark
and starkly beautiful Atacama Desert. An achingly beautiful prelude led to a festive song then to a
sorrowful lament and finally softly joyful ending. Boltes switched deftly between viola and various
charangos (small Andean guitars). “Suite Atacama” was an trenchant and moving musical
journey through the desert.
“No mas muertes” was the concert’s undeniable centerpiece. Commissioned by the Alturas Duo,
the piece for viola, guitar and narrator by composer David MacBride took the bestseller “The
Devil’s Highway”, Luis Alberto Urrea account of the Mexican immigrants who died in the Arizona
desert as the tried to cross the border. MacBride was on hand to introduce the piece and play the
part of the narrator. MacBride’s music made for a very impressionistic soundscape of a harrowing
and tragic journey through the desert, with the tonal tension building and getting increasingly
more angular. If the spoken narration resorted to the most gruesome passages from Urrea’s
account, it only overshadowed whatever more nuanced expression the music conveyed.
Taken as whole, though, Alturas Duo’s concert made for an intimate and spirited little tour-deforce — full of resonant moments and many charms.
2007
-EDUCATIONThe Duo’s dedication to music is present not
only on stage, but in their work with students
and aspiring musicians. Scott and Carlos
regularly present educational programs and
workshops in schools and conservatories in
conjunction with their concerts.
The Duo has an exceptional ability to engage
students of any age. Their programs are not
only musical presentations; they also
incorporate geography, language, culture,
math, science, and oral learning traditions into
one interactive seminar. In addition to these
presentations, the Duo offers master classes for
individual instrumentalists and any combination
of ensemble.
Alturas Duo with students in Ecuador
The
Duo
graciously
welcomes
these
opportunities to teach, perform, and interact
with students from different communities and
can offer all of the above mentioned programs
in Spanish and English on request.
More information on the Duo’s educational
presentations, workshops, master classes and
lectures can be found their website
www.alturasduo.com .
Alturas Duo presenting to and performing with a
High School Orchestra
To host the Duo at your location for a
presentation, workshop, or master class please
contact Gretchen Wietmarschen of MacRae
Management
at
1-202-200-1830
or
GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
The Duo and has been invited to hold artist
residencies at a variety of institutions, lasting
from a few days to an entire semester. Previous
engagements have included; the Festival
Eleazar de Carvalho in Fortaleza, Brazil; the
Hartt School; Festival Sur del Mundo in Calbuco,
Chile and at Trinity College.
Table displaying the charangos and viola
of Carlos Boltes’
For booking information contact Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director, MacRae Management
1-202-200-1830 or email GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
- CONTACTGENERAL MANAGEMENT
PRESS & MEDIA
MacRae Management
Gretchen Wietmarschen, Director
GretchenMacRae@gmail.com
1-202-200-1830
www.MacRaeManagement.com
For High Resolution Images, to
schedule an interview, or for further
information, please contact General
Management.
ALTURAS DUO on the WEB
www.AlturasDuo.com
Photo by Abe Perlstein