This year the musical proposal is called 'Aires de España', which will celebrate a new year in the regional capital.

The second oldest city in Chile is celebrating its birthday and the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra did not want to be absent from this great festivity for the commune and its people. That is why the musicians of the professional ensemble are preparing to offer a bold anniversary concert called: 'Aires of Spain', together with the mastery and interpretation of two outstanding figures of international renown.

This is the VI Concert of the Season of 'The Symphony of Cultures', a program dedicated with special affection to the 'city of Los Campanarios', in which the public will witness sounds as sublime as they are subtle, such as the Overture ' The happy slaves' by classical music composer Juan Arriaga, 'Fantasía para un genteel hombre' by Joaquín Rodrigo, along with the dazzling presentation of the guest guitar soloist, Luis Orlandini. Then the piece 'Acuarelas Valencianas' by Eduardo López-Chavarrí, Danza N°6 'Jota' by the Spanish composer, pianist and pedagogue, Enrique Granados, and the work 'Rapsodia España' by Frenchman Emmanuel Chabrier will be brought to life.

On this occasion, La Serena's anniversary concert will be conducted by one of the most praised conductors in the world, American conductor David Händel, acclaimed on all four continents for his passionate musical leadership and abilities to energize both orchestras and audiences. being widely recognized as one of the most significant and influential emerging directors. Faced with this new presentation in the Estrella Region, the director maintains that “it is not the first time that I have the honor of directing a concert to celebrate the anniversary celebrations of La Serena, a city as historic as it is charming, something that its people define with its particular qualities and cultural background. In this sense, Spanish culture has a lot to do with its history and its sensibilities, its humor and its human aspect in general", adding that together with the symphonic group "we have developed an extremely attractive program, both for the public and for the cast musicians. It is an exquisite repertoire balanced between the subtle and sublime, and with the energetically Spanish character.”

In this presentation there will also be the guitar soloist, Luis Orlandini, who, along with his active life as a concert performer, is a professor at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Chile and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and has premiered countless works by composers. Chileans, many of them composed for him and he has to his credit a series of editions of guitar scores by Chilean composers. He has also performed alongside artists from various countries and has participated as a jury in several international musical performance competitions, being invited to countless festivals in various nations.

Regarding the opportunity to meet again with his colleagues from the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra and share the stage with maestro David Händel, the soloist noted that “on the one hand it is a tremendous pleasure to return to La Serena to play with this orchestra.” , I have a very nice relationship with them and I know their history since it was created and, furthermore, it is an honor and a nice opportunity to perform for the first time with this North American director, with a work that, without a doubt, is emblematic for the guitar which is 'Fantasy for a gentleman'."

The work that Orlandini will perform is inspired by the music of the baroque composer Gaspar Sanz (Spain), which has “very simple and direct” sounds, especially based on dances of the period belonging to the XNUMXth century. So, what Joaquín Rodrigo did was a rereading of this music, incorporating Sanz's main melodic themes to give a structure of a fantasy, in the manner of a concert for soloist and orchestra. It is a very beautiful work because it is also framed within the XNUMXth century movement or neoclassicism, which was like returning to certain roots, but with a renewed look,” the musician deepened.

For his part, David Händel delved into this new musical experience: “I have not had the pleasure of working with maestro Orlandini, but I am certain that our collaboration will be a very special pleasure, both for his great artistic character and for his important possibilities as a performer; but also because of the intimate musical context in which we are going to share, 'Fantasy for a Gentleman' is a work that I deeply love."

Regarding the repertoire chosen for 'Aires de España', the acclaimed conductor stated that “I have a great affinity for the Latin world, where I spend almost half the year exchanging with colleagues in different countries in the region. With more than 20 years in this geographical and cultural rhythm, at this point I already have a marked affinity for Latin American music, and of course, for Spanish music, for its unique Euro-Arabic airs, flavors and aromas, its luxurious orchestrations and colorfully conceived, where all this represents a personal passion.”

Anniversary month, celebration month

Like every new birthday of the regional capital, the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena prepares an extensive and attractive schedule of panoramas and activities around the Serena family, adding to the celebrations the VI Season Concert of the ensemble belonging to the Regional Orchestra Network Professionals from the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.

For Mayor Roberto Jacob, “it is a pride to count among our anniversary activities the presentation of our orchestra, not only because of its professionalism and quality, but also because it reflects the legacy that maestro Jorge Peña began in the XNUMXs. Hen, to whom we recently paid a well-deserved tribute with the statue that we inaugurated in our Plaza de Armas. This orchestra is a valuable contribution to culture and, therefore, I invite the entire community to enjoy this beautiful show,” highlighted the mayor.

The concert inspired by “Los Aires de España”, in tribute to the 474 years of the city of La Serena, will take place next Friday, August 24 at 20:00 p.m. at the Municipal Theater of the regional capital. It should be noted that the event is free entry and without invitation withdrawal, so the capacity of the municipal venue will be respected for up to 400 attendees. Once its capacity has been reached, no more people will be allowed to enter. To avoid inconvenience, you are urged to be punctual and secure your seat to enjoy this presentation.

This 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. This concert is possible thanks to the sponsorship of the United States Embassy in Chile.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena