A new sound by the conductor David Händel and the French horn soloist, Alejandro Meléndez, will open the National Holidays celebrations in the region.

September, month of the Homeland and large-scale concerts. As is traditional every month and responding to its musical work, the ensemble belonging to the Network of Professional Regional Orchestras of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage is preparing to offer a new and magnificent seasonal concert, inspired by 'Chile & Latin America'.

On this occasion, the repertoire stands out for its sublime selection without borders, a captivating journey towards the senses that promises to delight attendees with four magnificent works, among them, the piece 'Paisaje Urbano', by the composer and Altazor and National Music Award winner. , Guillermo Rifo; 'Concert for horn and strings', written by the Chilean, Carlos Zamora, and which will be performed by the guest soloist, Alejandro Meléndez Pino; and then gave rise to 'Fuga y Misterio', by the Argentine bandoneonist and composer Astor Piazzolla, considered one of the most important musicians of the 1th century. The presentation will culminate with the work 'Sinfonietta N°XNUMX', by Brazilian Heitor Villa-Lobos.

As for the piece for horn and orchestra, Zamora referred to it in an interview with Álvaro Gallegos for Radio Beethoven, in which he maintained that he composed this work for “orchestral format, whether large or small (…), I decided to use only strings as accompaniment, so that the work has the opportunity to be performed anywhere, and there are many string orchestras.” Regarding its structure, it is arranged “in the old way in three movements: fast-slow-fast, with a cadenza in the third. Musically, it follows the line that I have been working on, that is, it involves melotypes and rhythms of indigenous Andean music, although with the novelty that now I also allude to the Mapuche people, through an imitation of the trutruka by the horn. . This is mixed with the melody of the pullay, which is what is sung for Ash Wednesday at the San Pedro de Atacama carnival. It is a pattern that I have been following for years, which is to use those elements of indigenous music,” explained the composer from Calama.

The VII Concert of 'The Symphony of Cultures' will once again be conducted by the American maestro, David Händel, widely known for his passionate musical leadership and abilities to energize both orchestras and audiences, becoming one of the most significant emerging conductors in the world , and the person in charge of massifying his imprint on each work in the program.

Before his last presentation in the city of La Serena, Händel indicated that the concert in tribute to the South American territory will stand out for its character: “we will perform contemporary works that I think the audience will love, it will be a concert with a very diverse program and, Of course, we will have a Chilean composer. On many occasions I have had the opportunity to conduct contemporary works here in La Serena and the public has become very receptive to the new music, they have opened their minds and that is fantastic,” said the maestro. He also extended an affectionate invitation to the local community for next September 14, indicating that “it is always good to celebrate and we always have to do it with music and celebrate Chilean artists, so everyone is welcome to the presentation that we are preparing with great effort.” love to Chile, to its composers and performers.”

The Municipal Theater of La Serena will also have another outstanding national musician on stage, Alejandro Meléndez, professor of the French horn department of the Music Department of the University of La Serena, an artist with extensive work directing Youth Orchestras, leading the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Coquimbo Region. As a concert pianist, he has stood out as first horn of the Carnegie Mellon Philahmonic, Concepción Symphony and La Serena Symphony orchestras, in addition to performing countless recitals for horn and piano in the United States, Spain, Italy, France, Colombia, Argentina and Chile, including the Rapa Nui territory. He is currently premiering with the 'Ensamble 20-21 Chile' the work 'Mistralian Concerts', by the composer and horn player from Serena Joan Capetillo, inspired by the figure of the regional poet and Nobel Prize winner.

In the words of concert pianist Alejandro Meléndez, this presentation entails a triple privilege for him: “first, it is a huge pleasure to perform a Chilean work for horn and orchestra, composed by Carlos Zamora and that rescues traditional themes from Chile, especially from the North of the country; second, sharing with the orchestra as a soloist and generating this new musical bond is special; and, finally, being under the direction of David Händel. I have known the maestro for a long time, we have shared a lot and whenever he comes to conduct the orchestra we go out and talk about music and his experience, so I also have deep admiration for him as a conductor, since my other area is also conducting.” , explained the corn player.

The VII Season Concert 'Chile & Latin America' will take place next Friday, September 14, at the Municipal Theater of La Serena, starting at 20:00 p.m. To attend this event, more than 150 free withdrawal invitations have been arranged: the general public and older adults can go to the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage Coquimbo Region (Colón #848), La Serena Public Library (Colón #495, corner Balmaceda), Gabriela Mistral Regional Library (Juan José Latorre #782) and/or La Serena Municipal Theater (Benavente #580). While school students and students from the University of La Serena can pick up their invitation at the Extension Office of the ULS Music Department (Larraín Alcalde s/n, between Los Jardines and Seminario). Those who are unable to withdraw their invitation will be able to purchase tickets at the municipal venue box office on the same day of the event, with prices ranging from $3.000 for the general public and $2.000 for seniors; while school and ULS students, presenting their credentials.

It should be noted that this presentation has the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through Glosa de Presupuesto Nacional since 2016, added to the important sponsorship of the United States Embassy in Chile, and 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.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena