The Basque National Orchestra and the OBC stage a symphonic dialogue on both sides of the Pyrenees

The Basque National Orchestra and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia (OBC) will once again exchange places after 23 years symbolically, by taking Ravel to both sides of the Pyrenees: The Basque National Orchestra will begin the exchange with Alborada del gracioso by the composer from Ziburu while the OBC will conclude its concert programme with Ravel’s renowned, universal Bolero.

In addition to these two popular works, both orchestras have prepared programmes combining the Basque music of Sorozabal with the Catalan music of Mompou, Albéniz, Gerhard and the recently premiered work Pluja by Miquel Oliu, together with the French music of Debussy and the German works of Mahler.

The Basque National Orchestra with 'Sorozabal/ Mahler' in Barcelona

The Basque National Orchestra will kick off in Vitoria and Pamplona with a programme that will again take it to L'Auditori in Barcelona, making this its seventh visit to the city. Antonio Méndez, one of Spain's most internationally renowned conductors, will lead the orchestra with a Basque programme that creates a suggestive contrast of aesthetic currents. On the one hand, Maurice Ravel, whose Alborada del gracioso exudes Andalusian aromas, with its elegant orchestral palette; and on the other, the Germanic tradition that informed the compositions of Pablo Sorozabal, trained in Leipzig and Berlin. In his 7 Lieder from 1929, Central European harmonic and contrapuntal architecture coexist with Basque folklore and language, a combination that finds its ideal interpreter in the Navarrese soprano Sofía Esparza. The programme will be rounded off with one of Gustav Mahler's most tragic creations: Symphony No. nº5, written after haemorrhage brought him to the brink of death. While recovering, he composed this symphony of awakening, with its opening haunting trumpet solo.

Concerts

• 24 November (19:30): Jesús Guridi Conservatory(Vitoria)
• 25 November (19:30): Baluarte Auditorium(Pamplona)
• 28 November (19:00): L'Auditori (Barcelona)
• 29 November (19:00): L'Auditori (Barcelona)
• 30 November (11:00): L'Auditori (Barcelona)

Programme

• M. Ravel: Alborada del gracioso [8’]
• P. Sorozabal: 7 Lieder [16’]
• G. Mahler: Symphony nº5 [68’]

OBC with 'Mompou/ Ravel' in the Basque Country

The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia is to visit the Basque National Orchestra Season for the third time, the first two being in 1999 and 2002. It will now be performing with its chief conductor, the French conductor Ludovic Morlot, and accompanied by the Catalan soprano Núria Rial. Together they will explore a crossroads by confronting emblematic works by Debussy (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) and Ravel (Bolero) - of whom the group is recording the complete works in 6 albums - with the music of Catalan composers based in Paris, such as Mompou (Five Catalan folk songs) and Albéniz (The Magic Opal, suite), as well as Gerhard (Els ballaires dins un sac) and the recently premiered Pluja, the latest creation by Miquel Oliu from Barcelona. A repertoire that captivated a Hamburg audience of the Elbphilarmonie last Saturday on the OBC's tour of Germany and which is also expected to enthuse the Basque public.

Concerts

• 26 November (19:30): Euskalduna (Bilbao)
• 27 November (19:30): Kursaal (San Sebastián)
• 28 November (19:30): Kursaal (San Sebastián)

Programme

• I. Albéniz: The Magic Opal. Suite [16’]
• F. Mompou: Five Catalan folk songs [15’]
• R. Gerhard: Six Catalan folk songs. Els ballaires dins un sac [2’]
• C. Debussy: Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun [10’]
• M. Oliu: Rain [15’]
• M. Ravel: Bolero [16’]

Tickets on sale

Tickets for both programmes (Sorozabal / Mahler and Mompou / Ravel) are on sale at euskadikoorkestra.eus y auditori.cat, and at the ticket offices of the relevant halls.

More information