A new emotion will mark the second musical journey of the ULS Symphony Orchestra

second concert

The concert will be led by the conductor Sebastián Camaño Saavedra, and the first bassoon of the symphonic ensemble, Alevi Peña Jiménez, both members of the project 'Bach Santiago', by the well-remembered maestro Víctor Alarcón.

'Illusion & Surprise' is the new artistic-musical proposal with which the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra seeks to delight the public in the Province of Elqui this April. An unforgettable journey through emotions that will have two concert dates and that will once again be marked by the rudeness of two great Chilean artists.

On this occasion, the II Concert of the 2019 Season will be conducted by a young Sebastián Camaño (Chile), with a degree in Higher Piano Performance from the University of Chile, who will conduct the regional ensemble for the first time: “I feel really anxious. Super happy and proud also because the orchestra is known for being very warm in its reception, in the way it works and because it has great musicians in its ranks, I have worked with them several times; So for me it is a great honor to work there,” said the national leader.

second concert 2Another surprise that this concert will have, as the program is titled, is the participation of a great regional soloist. This is the first bassoon of the symphonic ensemble, Alevi Peña, who will meet Camaño again after participating together in the 'Bach Santiago' cycle in 2018, a project founded by the great maestro Víctor Alarcón (RIP) and which consists of interpreting the 209 cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach in Chile. For the soloist it is also synonymous with "pride and privilege to be able to present my work within the framework of the orchestra's seasonal concerts together with the direction of Sebastian Camaño, in my opinion it has an excellent level and it is a pleasure to have him", stated the musician.

During rehearsals, a close and dynamic relationship is forged between the protagonists, which ends with an overwhelming presentation. Given this, Alevi maintained that the “relationship between a director and a soloist is always very interesting because the soloist has a vision of the concert that he wants to do and the director also has his. So it is important to achieve harmony between the visions; That is why one meets before, the conductor always wants to hear what the soloist proposes and he, for his part, seeks to be able to adjust what is proposed. On this occasion, I hope that this relationship will be very fruitful,” he indicated.

The second journey through emotions has an attractive selection of works of European and national origin, which includes a world premiere. The presentation will start with the Overture 'La Bella Melusina', Op. 32 by the great German composer, Félix Mendelssonhn, a piece that evokes the emotions of 'Illusion & Surprise', as it refers to the legend of Melusina, a sea nymph that she marries Count Raymond, under the sole condition that she not be visited on Saturdays, the days on which she transforms into a mermaid.

second concert 3The 'Concerto for Bassoon in F Major', Op. 75; written by Carl María Van Weber, will also be part of the musical event. The program continues with an absolute premiere of the Chilean composer, José Manuel Piña, and his piece 'Un laberinto de cerros', written for the ensemble's wind and percussion ensemble. Finally, Symphony No. 94 in G Major by Joseph Haydn, called 'The Surprise', will be in charge of closing the concert.

Double concert in the Province of Elqui

The concerts will take place in the communes of Coquimbo and La Serena. The first one will take place on Thursday, April 11 at the Palace Cultural Center, while the second concert will take place on Friday, April 12 in the regional capital in the MECESUP room of the Music Department of the U. de La Serena . Both presentations will begin at 20:00 p.m., with no free entry cost and no withdrawal of invitations, respecting the full capacity of the venues.

This new season is financed by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the Glosa de Presupuesto Nacional; in addition to the important institutional support given by the University of La Serena, through the Directorate of Links with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture; and the Municipality of Coquimbo with the support of the Palace Cultural Center.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra