The Basque National Orchestra kicks off the 24/25 Season by participating in the opera 'Carmen' at the Musical Fortnight
The orchestra has been rehearsing for a few days now for this famous work by Georges Bizet, which will be performed at the Kursaal on the 8th and 10th of August. The Basque National Orchestra will also give a concert on the 14th in Senpere as part of the Walking Fortnight cycle, as well as a symphonic-choral concert with the Orfeón Donostiarra on the 23rd August in Kursaal.
In addition to its fruitful participation in the San Sebastian festival, over the next month the Basque National Orchestra will perform concerts in Lekeitio and Bergara, and will record works by Richard Strauss in Miramon for a new album on the Ondine label.
The Basque National Orchestra to surround itself with great Basque artists in a new Gabriel Erkoreka album
Juanjo Mena, Asier Polo, Alfonso Gómez and Carlos Mena are on the lineup of artists who, along with the Basque National Orchestra, have recorded three pieces made by Bilbao born composer Gabriel Erkoreka.
Prestigious Finnish producer Ondine has been in charge of the worldwide release of the album, already available in CD format and on numerous digital platforms.
Musikene students of orchestra conducting have taken the podium of the Basque National Orchestra
Joshua Franken, Aritz Labrador and Sara Litón led the orchestra for the overture to Beethoven's 'Fidelio', as a prologue to the final concerts of this Season.
These three students from the Centre for Higher Music Studies of the Basque Country have followed a training programme with the orchestra's conductor Robert Treviño, the results of which they have presented these days to their Basque audience.
Season 24-25: Contrast and Incantation
‘Contrast’ and ‘incantation’ are central concepts of the narrative of this new season. Contrast can be found through the combination of pieces from our habitual set-list, such as Schubert's 'The Great', Mahler's 'Seventh' and 'Ninth' and Brahms' 'Second', together with other pieces that we will be performing for the first time, from composers such as Scriabin, Szymanowski and Schoenberg.
Incantation comes courtesy of ‘Akelarre’ (Witches’ Sabbath), a cathedral piece by Pascual Aldave, who we will be commemorating on the centenary of his birth. This theme also includes Beatriz Arzamendi, with 'Sorginen soinua’ (The Sound of Witches). This will be the first time that the Arrasate born composer will be part of the orchestra’s Season Ticket Holders’ Season, as is the case with Suhar Korua, who will deliver an original concert set, also around the night. Juanjo Mena, an internationally renowned Basque conductor, returns this season and will close this Basque-inspired section.
To make this set possible, the orchestra will once again be joined by a host of outstanding artists, such as Stanislav Kochanovsky, Christoph-Mathias Mueller, Kristiina Poska and Juanjo Mena on the baton; renowned musicians such as Denis Kozhukhin (piano), Christoph Sietzen (percussion), Pinchas Zukerman (violin), Baiba Skride (violin) and Daniel Müller Schott (cello); and two great choirs from the region, Orfeón Pamplonés and Suhar Korua.
The orchestra will be making its first recording of a universal composer who influenced the course of music in the 20th century: Richard Strauss.
The Basque National Orchestra continues its commitment to training young people. The pool of music students in their different educational stages will provide a strong contribution this season, and young musicians from EIO, Musikene and EGO will join the ranks of the orchestra at different times during the course of the musical year.
Salzburg is wowed by the Basque National Orchestra's 'Bolero'
Ravel's 'Bolero' was one of the main highlights of the Basque National Orchestra's performance during the Salzburg City Season, and expectations were high, but it was impossible to imagine such an overwhelming response from the audience, which virtually filled the hall for both concerts held in the city so far.
Today brings the orchestra's successful Austrian tour to a close with a third and final concert in Salzburg, which has also sold out.
Salzburg and Linz, a new international goal for the Basque National Orchestra and Robert Trevino
Less than a year since its successful premiere in Poland, the Basque National Orchestra is once again embarking on a major international tour that will take it to Austria from 6 to 9 February.
This new international tour will consist of one concert in Linz and three in Salzburg, with the conductor Robert Trevino and the French harpist Xavier de Maistre, playing as a soloist.