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Today we cross into South America, traversing deep into the Brazilian jungles. New languages are encountered, including Quechua, the language of the Incans. We also taste exotic cuisines, including chocolate, and learn of Quetzalcoatl, one of the most complicated of the Aztec and Mayan deities.

The Conquest of the Latin American nations brings both good and bad. Musical notation arrives with the Jesuits, along with choral music of the Catholic Church. The Moxos and Chiquitos of Chile and Ecuador are taught to write music, but with very few indigenous ingredients. Covita and Christopher Moroney speak of the challenge of speaking and singing Nahuatl and Quechua.

Two stellar performers and a hand-built harpsichord by San Antonio's Gerald Self make for sparkling sounds in this concert presented by the San Antonio Chamber Music Society.

We board the steamboat El Dorado in Leticia, Colombia on a journey to Manaus, Brazil, a destination famous for both its isolation and its famed opera house. The Mexican composer, Daniel Catán, writes music representing the dangers of river navigation and also the psychological states the Amazon River induces in travelers. Flutist Laurel Zucker tells her own stories of travels into the Amazon Basin.

Today we meet the Mexican folk ensemble, Los Folkloristas, introduced by Gabriela Ortiz. Gabriela's parents were founding members of the ensemble, which sang in numerous indigenous languages, surrounded by an array of both indigenous and Euro-influenced musical instruments. Ms. Ortiz also speaks of some of her most recent work as a composer as she prepares to assume the title of Composer-in-Residence at Carnegie Hall.

We return to Rio for more music recorded aboard the SS Uruguay, a ship which ferried the All-American Youth Orchestra on a tour of important ports along the Atlantic coast of South America. The students, most of whom went on to play in the most important American orchestras, sat in amazement as the ballroom of the ship filled with a who's who of Brazilian talent.

Carlos and Allison Franzetti take us on a tour of the legendary Teatro Colón, in Buenos Aires, with a stop to visit the Argentine composer, Carlos Guastavino. They explain what makes Guastavino's music speak in Argentinian.

Duo Baldo and soprano Maria Luigia Borsi stopped by the KPAC studios this week to preview their concert happening Sunday, Nov. 10 at San Fernando Cathedral with Musical Bridges Around the World. Hear two selections recorded in our studio at the link.

Members of the U.S. Air Force Band of the West dropped by KPAC 88.3 FM this week to preview their Holiday in Blue concerts, happening on Dec. 17 & 18 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Hear some holiday favorites, and music by J.S. Bach, at the link!

This edition of Performance Saturday features two great mini-recitals, including horn player Catherine Dowd playing some beautiful hymns, and Crystal Jarrell Johnson, in an All Saints Day program. The common thread is their stellar collaborator, Seth Nelson. Give a listen at the link!