With a new country as the protagonist in 'The Symphony of Cultures', the professional ensemble from the Coquimbo Region captivated attendees with select pieces by Debussy, Ravel, Saint Saëns and Domínguez.

France celebrated its National Day in La Serena, through a concert that commemorated the important cultural contribution that the European country has injected into our country, through the musical imprint of its most famous composers. The University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra and the masterful performance of three renowned guest musicians gave life to the V Concert of the 2018 Season, thus culminating a successful and exciting first semester of sounds without borders.

The musical journey through the French Republic featured five select pieces for orchestra and instrument, taking a tour of works from romanticism to impressionism. The presentation began with 'Variations on a French Theme' composed by the violist and guest conductor of this new program, José Luis Domínguez, and then continued with an outstanding figure of European music from the late XNUMXth century and early XNUMXth century, Claude Debussy, and his work called 'Sacred and Profane Dances for Harp and String Orchestra'. The tour also included two works by the French composer recognized as the master of orchestration, Maurice Ravel, with 'Introduction and Allegro - Tzigane' and 'Le tombeau de couperin', to end with the 'Introduction and rondo capricious' by the director, organist and pianist Camille Saint Saëns.

On this occasion, the new musical proposal was conducted by the guest teacher, José Luis Domínguez, a musician from Serena positioned as one of the most audacious Chilean conductors, having been the Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Academy for three years. Reuniting with his hometown and with the ensemble belonging to the Network of Regional Professional Orchestras of the Coquimbo Region “is always pleasant and exciting. Working with my city's orchestra is a priority and I am extremely happy about it,” he said.

During this concert, Domínguez also shared the stage with Patricia Reyes, harp soloist of the Universidad de Concepción Symphony Orchestra and who this year is projecting her work as a soloist in different national orchestras: “I felt very good to play in La Serena and I loved working with the orchestra. I had come several times as part of the ensemble, but it had been many years since I had done so. As a soloist this was the first time and it was a very different and rewarding experience,” she commented excitedly. Regarding the repertoire, Patricia explained that “these are the two most important works that exist on the instrument, both are very difficult and were composed by two great composers of French Impressionism. On the one hand, Debussy surprises with a great work from the harpist repertoire, but which was composed for a chromatic harp different from the double movement one that I used today; and on the other hand, there is Ravel with a piece composed especially for the modern harp, where he brings out all the technical and sonic potential. Many do not know this instrument and it is a great satisfaction that people have known it, to be able to learn from its sound and get excited,” she emphasized.

The program of this new concert of 'The Symphony of Cultures' brought an end to the first semester and, with it, to arduous musical work, under the guidance and mastery of Leonardo Godoy, concertmaster of the professional ensemble and violin soloist of this V Season Concert, who dazzled the hundreds of attendees who filled the Municipal Theater of La Serena with his daring and passionate interpretation of the French repertoire.

For the audience, which included the French community residing in our region, this concert was very valuable and moving, even more so when it commemorated such an important date for this inspiring European territory. This is the case of Marie Laure Pignol, a faithful attendee of the orchestra's concerts, who on this occasion the presentation took on a very special character: “I loved the concert, everything seemed fabulous to me; especially because the orchestra has decided to do the French composers' concert on France Day and that is very exciting and we French people are very grateful for this beautiful gesture. Furthermore, the musicians today were brilliant, I really liked the performances of the soloists; “I had never seen a harp concerto, which made it even more attractive.”

For his part, Patricio Paredes, another attendee who does not miss the programming, stated that “after this concert I leave with all the emotions on the surface. The beauty of this music, unlike other types of musical performances, is that it is a repertoire that transports you to moments in your life, to places, to situations, to feelings; then one leaves with a full heart.” Her friend, Paula Pérez, who joined this celebration of the French country, said that “I loved it, I was very moved by the pieces that the soloists performed and by the work with which they began the concert. I told my friend that the music had transported me to another place, it was extremely captivating to listen to them and I am very happy with this pleasant experience.”

It should be noted that this presentation, like the rest of the 2018 Season, has the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through the National Budget Glosa since 2016; added to the collaboration provided by the University of La Serena and the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture and the Municipal Theater.

These days, the symphonic ensemble is on winter break, to enter the second semester with a new European sound as the protagonist; in addition to unmissable proposals in camera format.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena