OFJ NEWSLETTERS

By María Espino

María Espino GUANAJUATO, Gto.-

Simply spectacular, the concert offered by the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco (OFJ) in the landmark Teatro Juárez!  Jalisco, the guest state of honor, made its mark on the International Cervantino Festival on the 400^th anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, by virtue of the ensemble’s interpretations which colorfully evoked CervantesPor María Espino´ Spain.

Once again, the Teatro Juárez was witness to a great world premiere, performed by the OFJ:  ‘Vencidos’, a symphonic poem especially created for the 44^th edition of the Cervantino Festival by Fabio Vacchi.  The composer was present in the audience this past Sunday evening at the gala first performance of his “quixotic” work.

Three soloists graced the four-piece program, which included the aforementioned Vencidos; Don Quixote, by Richard Strauss, the Concierto de Aranjuez (Joaquín Rodrigo), and  Manuel de Falla´s  Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat. The latter proved to be a climactic finale to the presentation, drawing a torrent of applause from the listeners, who were undoubtedly more than satisfied, grateful to have witnessed such a sublime interpretation of orchestral music.   

Under the baton of acclaimed director Marco Parisotto, the OFJ executed a program whose principal attraction was the world premiere of Vencidos, based on a poem by León Felipe in which the poet depicts a scene from Cervantes´ well-known work:

“Por la manchega llanura / se vuelve a ver la figura / de don Quijote pasar. Va cargado de amargura, va, vencido, el caballero de retorno a su lugar”, --‘Vencidos’, by  León Felipe

“Along the plains of La Mancha, once again the figure of Don Quixote passes.  The load he carries is a bitter one; he returns, defeated, to his place of origin.”—a verse from the poem “Vencidos” which portrays one of many episodes in the life of “the knight of the woeful countenance”, as he returns, bitter and beaten, to his sleepy village.

More than 100 years of music

The Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco has major importance in the Mexican musical panorama. This living tradition was founded in the city of Guadalajara by composer/conductor José Rolón and traces its beginnings to the year 1915.  It has presented works that represent the essence of the Mexican symphonic literature.  The orchestra has performed in various parts of the world and shared the stage with great vocalists.

Its director, Marco Parisotto, is a Montreal native who has performed in the world´s major concert halls, been recognized by expert critics and music lovers and acclaimed in the world´s best festivals, factors which contribute to the recognition of Marco Parisotto as one of the most celebrated and noteworthy Canadian conductors on the world music scene.

Published in the newspaper CORREO, Monday, October 17, 2016, by María Espino 

http://periodicocorreo.com.mx/orquesta-filarmonica-de-jalisco-festeja-en-grande-a-cervantes/