Tuesday 21 September, 2010

The Basque National Orchestra inaugurates its Season Concerts

The Basque National Orchestra inaugurates its Season Concerts
Under the direction of its chief conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada and with the violinist Vadim Repin as guest soloist.

On Thursday 23 and Friday 24 September, Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz will serve as the setting for the first performances in the Basque Orchestra's 2010/2011 Season Concerts. On this first Season Concert programme, the extraordinary violinist Vadim Repin debuts as guest soloist with the Basque Orchestra, under the direction of its chief conductor, Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Vadim Repin has performed with first-line orchestras on the international scene, like the Berlin, New York, Los Angeles or Saint Petersburg philharmonics or the London, Boston, Chicago symphony orchestras and the La Scala Orchestra, under some of the greatest conductors: Ashkenazy, Boulez, Dutoit, Chailly, Eschenbach, Gergiev, Masur, Mehta, Nagano, Rattle, etc. On this occasion, Repin will perform L.V. Beethoven's Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major, Op. 61. The programme of these concerts will be rounded off with A. Dvorák's 7th Symphony in D minor, Op. 70.

Joana Carneiro and Momo Kodama will launch the Season Concerts in Pamplona and San Sebastian. The Orchestra will open its season in Pamplona on 29 September and in San Sebastián on 30 September and 1 October. It will be conducted on these occasions by Joana Carneiro, music director of the Berkeley Symphony and official guest conductor at the Gulbenkian Orchestra, and accompanied by the pianist Momo Kodama as guest soloist.

These new Season Concerts mark the second in the tenure of Andrés Orozco-Estrada as chief conductor and of Andrey Boreyko as principle guest conductor. While both will conduct a large part of the programmes, the season also includes the presence of other famous guest conductors: Howard Griffiths, Oleg Caetani, Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Eduardo Portal, Jesús Amigo, Iker Sánchez, Michal Nesterowicz, winner of the 9th Cadaques International Conducting Competition, and Gilbert Varga, former chief conductor of the Orchestra over ten seasons. In addition to Repin and Kodama, in the coming months we will be treated to performances by the violinists Julian Rachlin, Daniel Hope and Luis Esnaola, the pianists Arcadi Volodos and Khatia Buniatishvili, the cellist Johannes Moser and the great American saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Basque Orchestra soloists Bruno Claverie (flute) and Pascal Laffont (oboe) will also perform one of the programmes. In the symphony-choral repertoire we underline an extraordinary line-up for Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with Ainhoa Garmendia, Itxaro Mentxaka, José Ferrero and Attila Jun alongside the Bilbao Choral Society. For her part, the soprano Christiane Karg will join the Orchestra to perform Mahler's 4th Symphony. One of the season highlights will take place in March, when the Orchestra will lend its stage to the Malandain Ballet Biarritz to perform "Magnifique. Suites Tchaikovsky". This will be a unique occasion to enjoy dance with live music, played by the Orchestra from its pit. As far as Basque composers are concerned, we feature the absolute premiere of Jesús Eguiguren's Kindly Symphony, on commission, by the Basque Orchestra; the performance of Pascual Alcave's Nerabe Sorta, and two short works by Valentín de Zubiaurre, featuring on the latest Orchestra recording. One of the programmes will pay homage to Enrique Jordá, first conductor and promoter of the Basque Orchestra, on the centenary of his birth. In addition, our season concerts will welcome two guest orchestras: the Extremadura Orchestra, with its Chief Conductor, Jesús Amigo and the violinist Alexandre Da Costa, plus the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, under the baton of its chief conductor Andrey Boreyko, together with the pianist Khatia Buniatishvili.

1st Season Concert programme
23 September:
Palacio Euskalduna, Bilbao. 20:00
24 September: Teatro Principal. Vitoria-Gasteiz. 20:00

The programme
Antonin Dvorák (1841-1904)
7th Symphony in D minor, Op. 70 [36']
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 61 [42']

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Vadim Repin, violin

Wednesday 15 September, 2010

The Basque Orchestra adss Pedro Sanjuán to its Basque Music Collection

The Basque Orchestra adss Pedro Sanjuán to its Basque Music Collection
The Orchestra is currently recording a monograph dedicated to the composer and conductor from San Sebastián

The Basque Orchestra, under the direction of its chief Music Director, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, is this week busy recording the 14th volume of its Basque Music Collection; a monograph dedicated to the composer and conductor from San Sebastián, Pedro Sanjuán.

14th volume in the Basque Music Collection, Pedro Sanjuán (1886-1976). The composer and orchestra conductor born in San Sebastián, Pedro Sanjuán, started studying music theory and violin in Madrid from an early age. He played with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and very soon became its first violin. He later moved to Paris to continue his studies. Once back in Madrid, he decided to direct his career towards conducting orchestras. He conducted the Madrid Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras, with which he programmed the release of several of his works, therefore making a name for himself as a composer. In 1923, he decided to move to Cuba where, a year later, he founded the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra and became its conductor, a position he was to hold for ten years. He was an advocate of Cuban music, reflecting black rhythms and melodies in his works, and trained a school of brilliant Cuban composers. Cuba therefore considers him to be the creator of the native music movement, with local authors dating the starting point for the contemporary period of Cuban music at the moment the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Pedro Sanjuán. In Cuba he composed his major works, including the excellent Liturgia Negra, with which he won the Spanish National Music Prize in 1934. The outbreak of Civil Ward in Spain caught him in Paris, where he decided, given his Republican ideas, to take exile in the US, staying there until his death.

Sanjuán's work will now form part of the Orchestra's Basque Music Collection. The Orchestra is therefore currently recording, under its chief Music Director, Andréa Orozco-Estrada, Rondó fantástico, Castilla, Macumba and Liturgia Negra.

As with all others in the Basque Music Collection, this CD will come out on the Claves label and has the sponsorship of the MONDRAGÓN CORPORATION. Prior to this, this autumn we will present volume 13 in the Collection, dedicated to Valentín Zubiaurre.

Recording
13-17 September 2010, Basque Orchestra Auditorium in Miramón

Programme
Pedro Sanjuán (1886-1976)
Rondó fantástico
Castilla
Macumba
Liturgia negra

Basque National Orchestra
Andrés Orozco-Estrada,
Conductor
Released by: Claves

 

Friday 10 September, 2010

The 19th Miramón Matinées cycle will kick off on Saturday 18 September

The 19th Miramón Matinées cycle will kick off on Saturday 18 September
The Minimal string quartet will open the season, and it will do so with contemporary music. Michael Nyman and Philip Glass will be the stars of this first Matinée.

Dubbed with the slogan "In continuous movement" the 2010/2011 season of the Miramón Matinées cycle has been unveiled at the Orchestra's Miramón headquarters. Iñigo Alberdi, General Manager of the Orchestra, and several of the musicians who will participate in the concerts making up the 19th season of this cycle, explained the details of this new edition. Also present were Orchestra musicians Marco Caratto, Jon Larraz, Igor Torre, Elena Martínez de Murguía, Arkaitz Martínez and Oscar López, the conductor of Araoz Gazte Abesbatza, Gorka Miranda, the percussionist Jorge Pacheco, and the flute player, Juan Vega. This cycle will consist of 16 concerts at which to enjoy music from all periods in different formats. The presentation was also attended by Iñaki Almandoz in representation of the cycle sponsors, the Kutxa savings bank.

A sound that comes and goes in time, skipping from one period into another, from Baroque to contemporary and from contemporary to more classical music. An impulse swinging from religious to minimalist and on from there to the traditional. Waves issuing from a big orchestra or choral ensemble, or those flowing from the chamber, wind, string or percussion groups. Dynamics born from the strength of the conductors taking their first steps and from the successful maestros who stride ahead with a firm step. Movement emanating from the energy of well-known formations now returning to the auditorium at the Basque Orchestra headquarters in Miramón with renovated projects and from others played for the first time on this stage. The Miramón Matinées in a nutshell: sound in continuous movement.

The new Miramón Matinées cycle will kick off on September 18 at 11 a.m. in the Miramón Headquarters. The Minimal string quartet will open the season, and it will do so with contemporary music. Michael Nyman and Philip Glass will be the stars of this first Matinée.
As in previous seasons, we would like to state our gratitude to KUTXA which, through its Social Work endeavour, has collaborated and continues to collaborate in developing this cycle ever since its creation in 1993.

Friday 20 August, 2010

Latin jazz pianist Michel Camilo featured in opening night of the Basque National Orchestra's new concert series KlasikAT

Latin jazz pianist Michel Camilo featured in opening night of the Basque National Orchestra's new concert series KlasikAT
Tickets to KlasikAT concerts are now on sale for the single ticket price of €15.

Latin jazz pianist Michel Camilo is set to launch the Basque National Orchestra's new concert series KlasikAT. (The name is a fusion of the Basque words klasikoa, meaning 'classical', and at, meaning 'outside'.) KlasikAT, the Orchestra's major initiative this year, will feature distinctive repertoires and well-known artists, giving audiences the chance to sounds that reach far beyond the realm of classical music.

Joined by the Orchestra, Camilo will be holding four concerts: September 7th in Bilbao (Teatro Arteria Campos Elíseos), September 8th in Pamplona (Auditorio Baluarte), September 9th in Donostia (Auditorio Kursaal) and September 10th in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Teatro Principal Antzokia).

Maestro Rubén Gimeno will conduct all of the concerts. Tickets are now on sale for a single price of €15 at all of the regular outlets and at the ticket offices located at each of the concert venues.

Michel Camilo, piano

Michel Camilo, was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a technically brilliant pianist and composer who peppers his melodies with Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz harmonies. Most of his music is associated with traditional jazz trends, while pulsing with a contagious Latin beat and sense of contemporary swing, all of which reflect his cheerful personality and upbeat manner.

Camilo is a regular at festivals in the United States, Europe, Japan, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. So far he has recorded 18 CDs, many of which have been won awards including a Grammy, two Latin Grammys, two Grammy nominations, several Casandra Awards and the Soberano Award (Dominican Republic), and two "Premios de la Música" (Spain). He has recorded as soloist, in duos and trios, with Big Bands and symphony orchestras, in addition to appearing in soundtracks. Camilo moves seamlessly between jazz, Latin music and classical music.

Highlighted among his trophies is Best Latin Jazz Album, awarded at the 2000 Latin Grammys for his recording made with Flamenco guitarist Tomatito. In 2009 his DVD/CD box set CARIBE - Michel Camilo Big Band was released in Spain by Calle 54 Records and Sony Music/BMG. His live concert recorded at the Altos de Chavón Amphitheatre in the Dominican Republic was filmed by Spanish director and filmmaker Fernando Trueba.

He has performed concerts with prestigious orchestras including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Gulbenkian Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Spanish National Orchestra, Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, the orchestras of Barcelona, Cadaqués, Sevilla, Bilbao and Tenerife, the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.

Michel Camilo has also composed the score for a number of films including "Amo tu cama rica" and "Los peores años de nuestra vida", both directed by Emilio Martínez-Lázaro, and Fernando Trueba's "Two Much".

Concerts
September 7:
Teatro Arteria Campos Elíseos. Bilbao. 8:00 pm.
September 8: Baluarte Auditorium. Pamplona. 8:00 pm.
September 9: Kursaal Auditorium. Donostia-San Sebastián. 8:00 pm.
September 10: Teatro Principal Antzokia. Vitoria-Gasteiz. 8:00 pm.

Programme:
Arturo Márquez (1950):
Danzón nº 2* [10']
Michel Camilo (1954): Suite for Piano, Strings and Harp* [25']
Orchestrated by Joseph Gianono
Michel Camilo (1954): Concert No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra* [32']

*Premiere performance by the BNO

Michel Camilo, piano
Rubén Gimeno, conductor

Wednesday 18 August, 2010

The Orchestra hosts a visit by Sofia Gubaidulina to celebrate the recording of a monograph CD dedicated to the composer's work

The Orchestra hosts a visit by Sofia Gubaidulina to celebrate the recording of a monograph CD dedicated to the composer's work
The CD, slated for release on MorBo records, features "Sieben Worte", performed by the Orchestra along with cellist Asier Polo and accordionist Iñaki Alberdi, and "In Croce”, performed exclusively by Polo and Alberdi. The recording was conducted by José Ramón Encinar.

Composer Sofia Gubaidulina took part in a recording session at the Basque National Orchestra's Miramon headquarters of a monographic CD dedicated to her work. The recording, conducted by José Ramón Encinar, features "Sieben Worte", performed by the Orchestra together with cellist Asier Polo and accordionist Iñaki Alberdi, and In Croce, performed exclusively by Polo and Alberdi.

This volume will be the first to be released under MorBo, the newly formed record label spearheaded by contemporary music recording heavyweights Morese and Botter. The disc, dedicated to one of the most prominent composers on the international music scene, is the last in the Basque National Orchestra's CD series entitled "Música de hoy-Gaurko Musika" (Music of Today).

Born in 1931 in Chistopol in the Tatar Republic of the Soviet Union, Sofia Gubaidulina is one of the most widely acclaimed composers of contemporary music. Having grown up in the Tatar capital of Kazan and in Moscow, her compositions are clearly influenced by her Russian roots. Gubaidulina's composing mastery has allowed her to use contemporary techniques developed from both European and American avant-garde. Some aspects of her music denote a certain influence from Asian philosophy.

Gubaidulina has written over 100 works and has received numerous awards from around the world.

Recorded
Between August 18 and 21, 2010 at the Basque National Orchestra Miramón Auditorium

Programme
Sofia Gubaidulina (1931)
Sieben Worte, for cello, accordion and strings
In Croce, for accordion and cello

Asier Polo, cello
Iñaki Alberdi, accordion
José Ramón Encinar, conductor
Released by: MorBo

Thursday 01 July, 2010

Orchestra kicks off summer season with busy calendar

Orchestra kicks off summer season with busy calendar
The premiere of KlasikAt featuring pianist Michel Camilo, in addition to a number of concerts and two new CDs will keep the Orchestra busy in the coming months before the opening of the 2010-2011 Season Concerts programme.

After a grandiose end-of-season splash, culminating in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the zarzuela "Mirentxu", the Orchestra is already gearing up for a busy summer season. BNO summer events include a free concert on August 13 to support San Sebastian's 2016 candidature for European Capital of Culture, a series of concerts from August 19-25 in Deba, Zarautz and Sara under the umbrella of the Orkestra Herrietan (Orchestra on your Doorstep) programme, a concert on September 2 at the Donostia-San Sebastián Musical Fortnight, and the first in a series of KlasikAt events, featuring performances by pianist Michel Camilo together with the Orchestra. The KlasikAt concerts are scheduled for September 7 in Bilbao, September 8 in Pamplona, September 9 in Donostia-San Sebastián and September 10 in Vitoria-Gasteiz. With a wide variety of venues and a broad palette of musical styles, the Orchestra shares its music with audiences of all tastes and ages.

The Orchestra will also devote the summer months to recording two new CDs. The first one, dedicated to Sofía Gubaidulina, is part of the "Music of Today" series initiated last year with an album dedicated to Ramon Lazkano. The second album, dedicated to Pedro Sanjuan, is volume 14 of the Basque Composers Collection recorded by Claves.

 

Tuesday 15 June, 2010

The orchestra closes the 2009/2010 season with the performance of the “Mirentxu” zarzuela at the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao

The orchestra closes the 2009/2010 season with the performance of the “Mirentxu” zarzuela at the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao
This new version of the work by Guridi is a coproduction between the Arriaga Theatre and the Orchestra

The Orchestra will end the 2009/2010 season with the interpretation of the Basque lyrical idyll, Mirentxu, by Jesús Guridi, in a new version which comes to the Arriaga Theatre coinciding with the commemoration of its centenary premiere. The performance of this new production will take place on June 19, 22, 24 and 26.

With musical direction by maestro David Giménez Carreras, "Mirentxu", which will be presented in Basque, is a production by the Arriaga Theatre in coproduction with the Basque Symphony Orchestra. The wardrobe is the work of the designer from Bilbao, Míriam Ocárizm, and Eduardo Bravo is responsible for the illumination of this new production, with the participation of the Bilbao Choral Society, the choir of this entity's Conservatory and the professor of the repertoire, Alejandro Zabala.

With music by Jesús Guridi and libretto by Alfredo de Etxabe, "Mirentxu" is a jewel of the Basque lyrical theatre which premiered on May 31st 1910 at the Campos Elíseos Theatre in Bilbao. This production is based on the libretto of 1947 by Jesús María de Arozamena and Alfredo de Etxabe, in the critical edition by Ramon Lazkano.

The great soprano, María Bayo, in the lead role, stars in this zarzuela with the intervention of soloists Marifé Nogales, Andeka Gorrotxategi, Christopher Robertson, Fernando Latorre and Axier Sánchez. All of them, except Axier Sánchez, have acted with the Basque Symphony Orchestra on several occasions.

María Bayo, who leads the cast, has collaborated with the Orchestra in several editions of the San Sebastián Musical Fortnight, in addition to the Bilbao Friends of the Opera Association (ABAO) season. In addition, in 1999 she intervened in the recording of the third volume of the Basque Composers Collection edited by Claves, dedicated to Jesús Arámbarri. The past month of December, María Bayo was acknowledged when she was presented with the National Music Award 2009 in the mode of Interpretation and Composition, awarded by the Ministry of Culture. This soprano, capable of singing and acting out roles in very diverse operas, will play the young Mirentxu.

Basque Lyrical Theatre. The golden age of Basque lyrical theatre began with "Mirentxu" (Basque lyrical idyll in 2 acts), whose greatest representative was the composer from Vitoria, Jesús de Guridi (Vitoria, 1886 - Madrid, 1961), who continued to cultivate this genre in later zarzuelas like "Amaya" or "El Caserío". It is stated that "Mirentxu" was for Guridi, his best work; he said of it: "done with no trickery when I was 22, I tried to give it a great Basque atmosphere". The melodic and rhythmic varieties are other aspects which many have praised in this pure Basque zarzuela.

Alfredo de Etxabe is the author of this zarzuela's libretto, which, originally, sets Manu and Mirentxu, his daughter, in Errotatxiki, in a mill beside the ruins of an ancient Basque forge. Raimundo also lives with them, the miller's nephew. Mirentxu's love for her cousin Raimundo will be overshadowed by the love which develops between Raimundo and Prexen, Mirentxu's best friend. A dangerous love triangle which ends with the sweet death of Mirentxu. This is the original plot of a zarzuela which will be presented to the audience under the renewed perspective of the modern stage direction of Emilio Sagi and the set design of Daniel Bianco.

In this new version the mill and forge give way to a set design in which green and gold tones prevail; a new version which maintains the best of Guridi's music and the drama of this lyrical idyll and renews it for the stage with an outstanding artistic team. The wardrobe by Miriam Ocariz gives another modern touch to this version of "Mirentxu", which counts with the illumination of Eduardo Bravo.

Discount. Orchestra subscribers will benefit from a 25% discount on the ticket price for this show.

Thursday 03 June, 2010

RHAPSODY IN SCHOOL: DANIEL MÜLLER-SCHOTT EN EL COLEGIO ALEMÁN DE DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN

RHAPSODY IN SCHOOL: DANIEL MÜLLER-SCHOTT EN EL COLEGIO ALEMÁN DE DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN
Los alumnos de 1º y 2º curso de la ESO del Colegio Alemán San Alberto Magno de Donostia-San Sebastián han podido disfrutar de un encuentro con el violonchelista Daniel Müller-Schott.

Los alumnos de 1º y 2º curso de la ESO del Colegio Alemán San Alberto Magno de San Sebastián han podido disfrutar de un encuentro con el violonchelista Daniel Müller-Shcott, que participa estos días en el último programa de abono de la Orquesta de Euskadi. La visita de Müller-Schott al centro se enmarca dentro del programa "Rapsody in School International". Este proyecto puesto en marcha por el pianista Lars Vogt y apoyado por la Fundación Territorial Alemana de las Artes (Kulturstiftung der Länder), tiene como objetivo fomentar entre los jóvenes el entusiasmo por la música clásica dándoles la oportunidad de conocer de cerca a destacadas figuras del ámbito la música clásica.

Friday 28 May, 2010

THE BASQUE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA WRAPS UP ITS CONCERT SEASON UNDER CONDUCTOR MIKHAIL AGREST AND ACCOMPANIED BY GUEST CELLO SOLOIST DANIEL MÜLLER-SCHOTT

THE BASQUE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA WRAPS UP ITS CONCERT SEASON UNDER CONDUCTOR MIKHAIL AGREST AND ACCOMPANIED BY GUEST CELLO SOLOIST DANIEL MÜLLER-SCHOTT
Premiere performance of Joseba Torreo's Haizea alde, commissioned by the Orchestra

The Basque National Orchestra is gearing up for the final programme of the 2009-2010 Concert Season under the baton of first-time guest conductor Mikhail Agrest. In addition to Agrest's conducting debut, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott will be joining the Orchestra for the first time in a performance of Edward Elgar's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. The world premiere of Haizea alde by Joseba Torre is another one of the programme highlights. The concerts, each of which will preceded by a Pre-concert Conference, are slated for May 31 and June 3 in Donostia-San Sebastián, June 1 in Pamplona, June 2 in Bilbao, and June 4 in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This last concert will mark the end of the BNO concert season.

The outstanding careers of both Mikhail Agrest and Daniel Müller-Schott have earned them an international profile. Mikhail Agrest joined the Mariinsky Theatre in 2001, and has appeared with Leipzig's Gewandhaus Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Müller-Schott has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Boston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic and the Orchestre National de France, among others, under such renowned conductors as Askhenazy, Eschenbach, Dutoit, Previn and Masur. Daniel Müller-Schott also takes part in the "Rhapsody in School International", an initiative started by pianist Lars Vogt with support from the German Arts Foundation Kulturstiftung der Länder. The aim of the programme is to infuse young people with an enthusiasm for classical music, giving them the chance to meet outstanding figures in the field of classical music (www.rhapsody-in-school.de); in this context, on Thursday, June 3, Müller-Schott will teach a class for the students at the San Alberto Magno German primary school in San Sebastián.

World premiere of Haizea alde. The programme for these concerts includes a premiere performance of Joseba Torreo's Haizea alde commissioned by the Orchestra. In the words of the composer, this piece is a "fusion of parameters, a synthesis which gives shape to a whole, diverse and contrasting, intense, deep and unexpected like the sea, the sea, whose perpetual present leads to a future intimately bound to the ability to imagine and desire, to sail with the wind." This commission is part of the Orchestra's commitment to the creation and promotion of Basque music. Between 1986 and today, this commitment has materialised in a total of 13 works by the following composers: Carmelo Bernaola, Félix Ibarrondo, Luis de Pablo, Antón Larrauri, Francisco Escudero, Rafael Castro Peña, Tomás Aragüés, Ramon Lazkano, Gabriel Erkoreka, Zuriñe Fernández Gerenabarrena, Antonio Lauzurika and Joseba Torre. Schumann Symphony No. 1 "Spring" will complete the concert programme.

Pre-concert Conferences. Before each of the concerts in the final programme of the season there will be a Pre-concert Conference. On this occasion guest speakers will be musicologist Itziar Larrinaga in Donostia-San Sebatián, Public University of Navarra (UPNA) professor Marcos Andrés Vierge in Pamplona, music critic Carlos Villasol in Bilbao and composer Sabin Salaberri in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Concerts
May 31 and June 3:
Kursaal Auditorium. Donostia-San Sebastián. 8:00 pm. Pre-concert Conference. Foyer, Kursaal Auditorium. 6:45 pm
June 1: Baluarte Auditorium, Pamplona. 8:00 pm. Pre-concert Conference. Sala Gola, Auditorio Baluarte. 6:45 pm
June 2: Palacio Euskalduna, Bilbao. 8:00 pm. Pre-concert Conference. Sala B1 Euskalduna. 6:45 pm
June 4: Teatro Principal. Vitoria-Gasteiz. 8:00 pm. Pre-concert Conference. Sala Espacio-Ciudad (opposite the theatre). 6:45 pm

Programme:
Joseba Torre (1968):
Haizea alde [14'] (commissioned by the Basque National Orchestra, world premiere)
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, Opus 85 [30']
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major, Opus 38, "Spring" [30']

Mikhail Agrest, conductor
Daniel Müller-Schott, cello

Wednesday 19 May, 2010

BASQUE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA JOINS IN A TRIBUTE TO COMPOSER LUIS DE PABLO AT THE AUDITORIO NACIONAL IN MADRID

BASQUE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA JOINS IN A TRIBUTE TO COMPOSER LUIS DE PABLO AT THE AUDITORIO NACIONAL IN MADRID
Conducted by José Ramón Encinar, the concert will also feature cellist Asier Polo and flutist Cécile Daroux.

While Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa takes centre stage at the BNO Season Concert series, the Basque National Orchestra will be travelling to Madrid to give a concert on Thursday, May 20, at the Auditorio Nacional de Música. Organized by the Sociedad General de Autores in conjunction with the SGAE (Spanish Society of Authors), Fundación Autor and the Auditorio Nacional de Música, the concert, conducted by maestro José Ramón Encinar, will pay tribute to Bilbao-born composer Luis de Pablo on his 80th birthday. The concert will feature cellist Asier Polo performing Frondoso misterio, and flutist Cécile Daroux, playing Figura en el mar.

The music of Luis de Pablo (Bilbao, 1930) has found a secure place in the Basque National Orchestra's repertoire over of its 28-year history. In 1983 the Orchestra played Elephant ivres III as part of the BNO Season Concerts, followed by the Intermezzo from de Pablo's opera Kiu in 1994, Latidos in 1995 and Tréboles in 1998. As part of the Orchestra's policy on commissioning works from Basque composers, in 1991 the BNO commissioned Luis de Pablo to write Impromptus, which premiered during the 1990-1991 concert season. In 1999 it was released on the label Audiovisuales de Sarria as part of a collection of Spanish contemporary music "Colección Música Sinfónica Española Contemporánea", conducted by Juanjo Mena, together with works by Félix Ibarrondo, Rafael Castro Peña, Carmelo Bernaola, Francisco Escudero y Antón Larrauri, also commissioned by the Orchestra. To mark its 25th anniversary in 2007, the Orchestra commissioned Luis de Pablo to compose a special piece which materialised in the form of Danzas secretas for harp and orchestra. The Orchestra premiered the piece during its the 2007-2008 Concert Season, conducted by Arturo Tamayo and with harp soloist Frédérique Cambreling. The piece is included in the Basque Composers Collection, Volume 11, published in 2008 and dedicated exclusively to the work of Luis de Pablo. The CD also includes Frondoso misterio for cello and orchestra featuring cello soloist Asier Polo.

For this concert the Orchestra will be under the baton of maestro José Ramón Encinar, who has close ties with the work of Luis de Pablo and to whom the composer dedicated his opera El viajero indiscreto. The programme will begin with Potpurri from the work Vendaval, composed in 1994 and played by the Orchestra for the first time. The next piece on the programme is Frondoso misterio for cello and orchestra, composed in 2001 and dedicated to Asier Polo, who will accompany the Basque National Orchestra on this occasion. In the second part of the concert the audience will enjoy Figura en el mar for flute and orchestra, written in 1989. French flutist Cécile Daroux will join the BNO in this piece, now included in the Orchestra's repertoire.

In addition to this symphony concert, the Luis de Pablo monographic tribute will also feature a chamber concert on Friday, May 22 at the chamber music hall of the Auditorio Nacional de Música, and a master class taught by Luis de Pablo himself.

Concert:
20 May:
Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid. 7:30 pm

Programme:
Luis de Pablo (1930)
Vendaval. Potpourri [5']*
Frondoso misterio [29']
Figura en el mar [31']*

*Premiere performance by the OSE

Basque National Orchestra
José Ramón Encinar,
conductor
Asier Polo, cello
Cécile Daroux, flute

Pages