A U of A professor will be spending two concerts playing with one of the world's premier cellists in a stunning natural setting later this month in Louisville, Kentucky. Fernando Valencia, instructor of percussion in the Department of Music and director of the Latin American Ensemble, was selected to join 19-time GRAMMY Award winner Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Louisville Orchestra, along with other special guests to play at the Mammoth Cave National Park.

Music Director and Musical America 2022 Conductor of the Year Teddy Abrams, members of the Louisville Orchestra, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, the Louisville Chamber Choir and solo percussionists Gabriel Globus-Hoenich, Pedro Fernandez, Terry Longshore and Valencia join forces with cellist Ma at Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park, directed by Zack Winokur.

Two immersive concerts to be held inside the cave on April 29 will feature a site-specific composition by Abrams inspired by the environment in which it will be performed. Valencia is excited to perform in such a unique venue and help debut a brand-new work just for the occasion.

"The music is amazing!" Valencia said. "It depicts, through interesting exploration of sounds, many physical and historical aspects of the Mammoth Cave, and I'm looking forward to making a part of a historical concert with a great group of musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma."

When asked what the most interesting challenge is about playing in such a different outdoor element, especially one where the average temperature is 54 degrees Fahrenheit, Valencia thinks the acoustics will play a key role. "There will be many interesting aspects about playing inside a cave. I expect the acoustics of the place to have an interesting effect on the music and particularly on how the percussion instruments will 'talk' inside the cave. Another thing is the consistent low temperature and complete lack of natural light."

Abrams had spent the last year exploring the Mammoth Cave Park and immersed himself in its geology and history, specifically the people who lived there and knew the importance of the cave. It culminated in a piece titled "Mammoth." Abrams composed his work with Ma in mind — to be performed in the environment of a large open passageway inside the cave known as Rafinesque Hall.

"The concert lasts for one hour and 20 minutes and is divided into several sections," Valencia said. "We start the piece by playing mobile percussion instruments for the Introductory March. The dedicatory printed in the parts says, 'For the Guides of Mammoth Cave, past and present, and dedicated to the extraordinary National Parks Service team that ensures the cave's future."