Ausentes Concert from Bolivar Park

The traditional retreat that has been celebrated since 1892 consists of a meeting of departmental musicians and bands in Bolívar Park, considered a national symbol. It is also known as the “music lover's mass” because it takes place an hour before the midday mass on Sundays. This activity was a custom of many people from all over Medellín who came to Bolívar Park, located in the downtown area of the city, to start the day with the traditional “Retreta” and then continue with mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral.   

This Sunday, Filarmed's brass and percussion quintet pays tribute to one of Medellín's most representative musical spaces by performing a concert in Bolívar Park that dates back more than a century. 

Music in the Park  

This surprising trip to an endearing Medellín will begin with the Antioquian anthem, then the concert will open with the Triumphal march from Aida from Verdi and world music from composers Bizet and Debussy from France, Brahms from Germany, De Curtis from Italy and from American music with The Coup, soundtrack by composer Joplin. In addition, in homage to Colombian music and rhythms, we will present a series of festive pasillos, dances and guabinas, porros and vallenato walks, which give way again to Antioquian anthem. 

The brass and percussion ensemble is made up of Frank Londoño and Ramón Paniagua (trumpets), Juan Esteban Arenas (tuba), Esteban Avendaño (horn), Vladimir Hurtado (trombone) and Daniel Mejía (percussion).  

The Ausentes concerts, which will be five this year in heritage sites in Medellín and Antioquia, are more than a journey into the past; they are a reflection on our present and future. Absent Concert, a project of the Filarmed Comfama Alliance, with the participation of the Biblioteca Pública Piloto, produced with the Piñón de Oreja corporation that, through chroma keys, renders and 3D technology, revives iconic city scenes and places.