SUBSCRIBE TO A SEASON FULL OF GREAT EMOTIONS
SEASON 25/26
The Basque National Orchestra remains faithful to its calling to offer society tools for reflection, the formation of a critical spirit and a conscience that enhances the freedom of individual and collective thought. That is why for this new season we are drawing new arguments from our vast musical literature to serve as a guide and discursive support for our mission. We will see examples of struggle, of denunciation and resistance, stories of a journey and an end, of dream and awakening, all throughout a Concert Season that will also appeal to the memory of Ravel, on the 150th anniversary of his birth, and of Arriaga, on the 200th anniversary of his death.
These arguments always implicitly involve a part of discovery, taking shape with composers such as Fazil Say and Franz Schmidt, and with works such as Berlioz's Herminie, Franck's Symphonic Variations and Bach's Ich habe genug. And there is also another part in which we revisit, for example, Respighi and Strauss’s major works and a return also, for example, to Tchaikovsky and Bartok or Rachmaninoff with their most popular and occasionally also most difficult works. Ravel on both sides of the Pyrenees, Arriaga, Sorozábal, Bernaola and Ibarrondo will appear during Season of a Basque orchestra, a country orchestra, which relies on its roots to display itself to the world.
The conceptualisation on which the programme is based will also feature a wide range of artists. Together with the Basque National Orchestra, we will enjoy a Season with a very feminine, highly choral, very youthful, powerful and deeply rooted vision. All of these characteristics will make each musical experience a boost of energy and transforming capacity. The voices of Miren Urbieta-Vega, Sofía Esparza, Elena Sancho Pereg and Marifé Nogales and Marta Zabaleta on piano represent a large part of the qualities of this new programme. Also the choral voices of Landarbaso, Orfeón Donostiarra and Vocalia Taldea. And the careers of soloists such as Rachel Willis-Sørensen, Bomsori, Camille Thomas, Nikolai Lugansky and Johannes Moser. This magnificent cast of artists will be enhanced by guest conductors such as Ana María Patiño, Katharina Müllner, Joana Carneiro, Jaime Martín, Michal Nesterowicz and Riccardo Frizza.
MIRAMON MATINÉES
For 34 seasons now, the Miramon Matinées have offered a quality alternative to the symphonic sound of this great orchestra, with a lighter, more approachable format. This chamber music cycle of the Basque National Orchestra will offer a short musical ritual on Saturday mornings with sixteen varied and evocative events each season.
Chief among the section of special guests are the renowned pianist Miguel Ituarte and the Bilbao Choral Society. Another unique event will be presented by percussionists from Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa and the Basque National Orchestra. Performers from both orchestras will join forces to present a concert with a varied repertoire focusing on the use of new technologies applied to percussive chamber music. Dozens of members of the Basque National Orchestra have formed trios, quartets and quintets of multiple instrumental combinations to offer a varied repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the present day. And they do so in an airy, relaxed, quality format, lasting approximately one hour, as an opportunity for these musicians to branch out and leave to one side their usual symphonic format. Haizea, Irauli, Soka Bones, Belharra or the Delicia Ensemble are just some of the groups that will take the stage at Miramon. Special mention should be made of the concert opening the series, given by Kaabestri, a group that is distinct in size, with up to 16 performers on stage.