Troppos Quintet

Troppos plays music that wants to be danced to, presenting audiences with passion packed programmes featuring the sounds of Spain and Latin America.

About Troppos

Their members are clarinettist Pawel Jaworski, violinist Joe Hodson, oboist Sergio Vega Domínguez and tuba player Francisco (Paco) Martínez Merino. They are often also joined by percussionist Eric Alfonso.

When Sergio was studying at the RCS he reached out to some fellow students to see if anyone wanted to form a chamber music ensemble that he could then write for. However it wasn’t until during the pandemic that he teamed up with his friend Paco and he began writing for oboe, flute and tuba. The group took off and began performing original compositions and arrangements around the country, joined by violinist Eddy Betancourt, succeeded by Joe Hodson and clarinettist Paweł Jaworski.

Troppos is a synthesis of the traditional orchestral formation, attempting to break the often rigid classical rules, in search of a new, innovative sound. With this programme they create a musical journey through the fascinating cultural melting pot that is Spanish and Latin American music – bringing to their audiences the pure beauty and light of this exchange. Troppos want to reconnect the art of their music with the sensuality of dance.

Troppos have performed in different venues and festivals around Scotland, such as the Govan Gala Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the Pianodrome. They have also collaborated with well-known Scottish composer and filmmaker James Gray, recording commissioned works by him in a studio in Oban.

Musicians

• Sergio Vega Domínguez – oboe
• Joe Hodson – violin
• Paweł Jaworski – clarinet
• Francisco Merino – tuba
• Eric Alfonso – percussion

Provisional Programme

• Tea for Two – Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
• La Cumparsita – Gerardo Matos Rodríguez (1897–1948)
• Adiós Nonino – Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992)
• Misirlou – Traditional Eastern Mediterranean Folk Melody
• España Cañí – Pascual Marquina Narro (1873–1948)
• Veinte Años – María Teresa Vera (1895–1965)
• El día que me quieras – Carlos Gardel (1890–1935)
• Mozart Cuban Medley – Sergio Vega Domínguez (b. 1992)
• Danzón No. 2 – Arturo Márquez (b. 1950)

Interval

• Tico-Tico no Fubá – Zequinha de Abreu (1880–1935)
• Oye Cómo Va – Tito Puente (1923–2000)
• White Circle Tango – Sergio Vega Domínguez (b. 1992)
• Sway en la Santiaguera – Traditional Cuban Song
• Beethoven Will Survive – Traditional themes by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), arranged by Sergio Vega Domínguez
• Erbarme Dich (from St Matthew Passion) – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
• Waltz No. 2 – Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
• Underground Tango – Goran Bregović (b. 1950)
• Libertango – Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992)

Programme subject to final confirmation.