Mining Symphony: Summer Season 2024
Paquito D'Rivera, John Adams and Arturo Márquez are three of the world's most important living composers. In the 2024 Summer Season (July 6/September 1) of the Sinfónica de Minería, we will not only present their works, but we will do so with the soloists for whom they were expressly written! Pacho Flores on trumpet in Concerto venezolano, Timothy McAllister on saxophone in Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra, and Anne Akiko Meyers on violin in Fandango.
Listening to three masterpieces of our time in their ideal versions is a thrilling and unforgettable experience not to be missed this summer.
Mining Symphony: music of excellence that transforms lives.
Hearing a work performed by the soloist for whom it was written is an incomparable and highly enriching experience. When a composer creates a work specifically for a soloist, he or she does so with that performer's particular temperament, virtuosity and expression in mind. This deep connection allows the piece to be performed with an authenticity and precision that could not otherwise be achieved.
The composer considers every nuance of the soloist's technique, from his ability to execute complex passages (technical virtuosity) to his particular capacity to convey emotions through the music (expressive virtuosity). In addition, the soloist brings his personal interpretation, enriched by his close relationship with the composer and his intimate understanding of the work. In fact, it is common practice that during the writing of the solo parts, the composer consults the soloist about the possibilities of the instrument.
For the audience, this is a privileged opportunity to hear the music as it was conceived, with all the subtleties and details that the composer imagined. It is an experience that transcends simple technical performance and becomes a true dialogue between the composer, the soloist and the audience. This intimate and powerful connection is what makes listening to a work performed live by the soloist for whom it was written such a special and memorable experience.
The works and their soloists
John Adams (1947) - Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra with Timothy McAllister (saxophone)
John Adams, one of the most innovative and respected composers of our time, composed his Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra specifically for Timothy McAllister. This work is a celebration of the technical and expressive capabilities of the alto saxophone, an instrument that Adams explores with great creativity.
The concerto reflects the influence of jazz, a genre that has inspired Adams throughout his career. Although not a jazz concerto per se, jazz influences are present in the structure and melodic motifs of the piece. The first movement combines fast and energetic sections with lyrical and evocative passages, while the second movement is a vibrant rondo with a fast and steady pulse.
Timothy McAllister is renowned for his dedication to contemporary music and his ability to premiere new works. He has collaborated with numerous composers and has been a soloist with the world's leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony and the BBC Symphony. His performance of John Adams' Saxophone Concerto has been acclaimed for its virtuosity and emotional depth, making this concert a not-to-be-missed experience.
When?
PROGRAM 4: July 27 and 28
Arturo Márquez (1950) - Fandangofor violin and orchestra with Anne Akiko Meyers (violin)
Arturo Márquez, one of Mexico's most important composers, is known for his ability to incorporate elements of popular music into his concert works. His Fandangofor violin and orchestra, written for Anne Akiko Meyers, is a brilliant example of this fusion. The work is structured in three contrasting movements, each inspired by Mexican folk airs. The third movement, Fandanguitostands out for its energy and virtuosity, capturing the essence of the Veracruz fandango.
Márquez began work on this piece at the request of Anne Akiko Meyers, a violinist who has been a consistent advocate of the contemporary repertoire. The work combines elements of the Spanish fandango with the Veracruz version, creating a vibrant and lively piece. The premiere of the work was a highly anticipated event and Meyers' performance has been praised for its artistry and passion.
Anne Akiko Meyers is one of the world's leading violinists. She has collaborated with numerous composers and has given world premieres of important works. Her dedication to the contemporary repertoire and her ability to perform with great emotion has brought her international recognition. Meyers has worked with world-renowned orchestras and has been nominated for a Grammy for her recordings. Her interpretation of the Fandango promises to be an unforgettable musical experience.
When?
PROGRAM 5: August 3 and 4
Paquito D'Rivera (1948) - Venezuelan Concerto for trumpet and orchestra with Pacho Flores (trumpet)
Paquito D'Rivera, the legendary composer, has created the Venezuelan Concerto for trumpet and orchestra specifically for Pacho Flores, a world-renowned Venezuelan trumpet player. This work is a celebration of Venezuelan and Cuban cultures, combining elements of both countries in a single movement fantasia. The work includes a merengue in 5/8 and a danzón, reflecting the richness and diversity of Latin American music.
The Venezuelan Concerto shows the virtuosity of Pacho Flores and his ability to interpret with great emotion and technique. The work captures the majesty of the Venezuelan landscape and the joy of its typical music (not without mournful echoes). This mix of elements creates a powerful and moving piece, which has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, to the point of having received a Latin Grammy at the end of 2023.
Pacho Flores is perhaps the best trumpet player in the world. Trained in the Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela, he has been a soloist with important international orchestras and has won numerous awards in trumpet competitions. With the Sinfónica de Minería he recorded the album Estirpe (2023; Deutsche Grammophon), which received three Latin Grammy nominations. Latin Grammy.
When?
PROGRAM 6: August 10 and 11
And who is going to direct these masterpieces?
All of these works will be conducted by one of the most transcendent conductors of our time: the Grammy-winning Grammy winner, Carlos Miguel Prieto. With a dynamic and expressive conducting style, Prieto has been artistic director of the Sinfónica de Minería since 2006 and has guest conducted some of the most important orchestras in the world. His commitment to Latin American music and his ability to inspire young musicians have made him a reference in the world of classical music.
