Playing is adrenaline rush
to young violoncellist


Violoncellist Gabriel Cabezas, who is appearing in San José Oct. 25,  has been described by music critics as intense, mature and inspirational. In fact, the 14-year-old says playing the cello invigorates him so much he truly loses himself in

the performance, at times forgetting what he played minutes before. "It's a pure adrenaline rush to be honest," said Cabezas, "I feel more awake after I play than before." Cabezas, a Costa Rican-American whose father is originally from San José, said he is excited to be performing in the country. Although his family tries to make an annual trip from Chicago, Illinois, to Costa Rica, this is his first opportunity to perform.

Gabriel Cabezas

Cabezas began studying music when he was 4 years old. Originally he wanted to play guitar but since there were no guitar teachers, he decided the cello looked close enough.  Now Cabezas is a full-time high school sophomore. His schedule includes hours of practicing, lessons, rehearsals, and youth orchestra. 

Cabezas also composes, although it's "mostly for fun," he said in a telephone interview.  Many of his nearly 75 pieces are inspired by natural and cultural influences he says. Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, one of the first to study music in its cultural context, rates high on Cabezas' list of inspirations.

"When you understand the culture you can play the music," said Cabezas.

Cabezas will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Teatro Eugene O'Neill of the Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano in Los Yoses and will be accompanied by pianist Ana Isabel Cabezas.

Transport ministry gets
first equipment in 10 years


The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes has not invested in machinery for 10 years, Casa Presidencial disclosed Tuesday in Liberia.

President Óscar Arias Sánchez was there to present some $1.54 million in equipment to the regional transport office. The machinery will be used to maintain roads and highways in San Carlos, Upala, Los Chiles and Guatuso and 11 cantons of Guanacaste.

The budget calls for some $13.5 million in equipment purchases next year. The road machinery includes a compactor, a tractor, an excavator, a rotary excavator and a road grader.

The predecessor of Arias, Abel Pacheco, has been blamed for letting the roads of the country fall into disrepair.

Arias said that despite the good feelings in delivering the machinery, the day was one of sadness because of the extensive flooding that has hit the nation and Guanacaste in particular. LIberia is the main trading and shopping city for Guanacaste. He said he was injecting life into what was a moribund ministry.

Merino del Río is not swayed


José Merino del Río, a strong opponent to the free trade treaty with the United States, will not discuss the issue with the president, said Casa Presidencial Tuesday. Merino, the only member of his Partido Frente Amplio in the 57-member Asamblea Legisaltiva, rejected the invitation offered by Óscar Arias Sánchez last week, said an aide.

In a separate Internet posting Merino called the Oct. 7 referendum that ratified the free trade treaty fraudulent and accused Arias of using state resources to buy votes. Lawmakers now have to adopt some 13 measures that will make the country's laws conform to requirements of the free trade treaty.
    
Toy store firebombed


Someone hurled a gasoline-filled bottle into a Barrio México toy store Tuesday afternoon, and the subsequent fire gutted the establishment and did damage to a home behind it. The location is the Tienda Calle 20 on the street of the same name in northwest San José.

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