4th Music Laboratory focuses on composition

The 4th edition of Music Laboratory was presented at Miramón. Focusing on contemporary composition, this year's edition is organised in collaboration with MUSIKAGILEAK, the Association of Basque Navarrese composers. Attending the press conference were BNO General Director Iñigo Alberdi; Iñigo Aizpiolea on behalf of Musikagileak; the Director of this edition of Music Laboratory Nacho de Paz; the five composers taking part in the project, and Josetxo Silguero, soloist in one of the featured works.

Music Laboratory is a space for artistic experimentation which the Orchestra makes available to musicians in the Basque Country. The three previous editions focused on young soloists, up-and-coming conductors and viola players on their way to becoming professionals. All three groups had the opportunity to work with the Orchestra under the guidance of leading figures in each speciality. Five composers from Musikagileak will have their turn this year, and the opportunity to hear their most recent compositions played by the Orchestra. These composers are Mikel Urquiza, Aurélio Edler-Copes, Javier Jacinto, Juan José Eslava and Maria Eugenia Luc.

The Music Laboratory is the result of an initiative launched by BNO Principal Conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada as a project aimed at supporting young musicians at the beginning of their careers. In its first edition, which took place in April 2010, several soloists from the Basque Youth Orchestra (EGO) had the opportunity to work under the direction of conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Following a number of work sessions, they debuted together with the orchestra in a concert held at the BNO headquarters at Miramón. The second edition took place in March of this year. A group of young conductors from around the world worked with Andrés Orozco-Estrada and then conducted the Orchestra as part of the Miramón Matinées concert series. The 3rd Music Laboratory took place in autumn 2011, led by a viola soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic for over 20 years and conductor Wolfram Christ, in collaboration with students from Musikene.

Now, the focus will turn to composition, this time at the hand of MUSIKAGILEAK, the Association of Basque Navarrese composers. The event will take place on 5th September with a conference/round table beginning at 6pm. The five composers participating in this Music Laboratory conduct a discussion on: "The challenge of composing for orchestra in the 21st century: paradox, utopia or opportunity?" At 8pm the Basque National Orchestra will give a concert featuring the five selected pieces and a performance by soloist Josetxo Silguero. All of the works will be conducted by Nacho de Paz. Admission is free of charge.