Filarmed sounded exquisite in La Belle Époque

On April 7 and 8, the Medellín Philharmonic arrived in the country's capital to celebrate 40 years and delight people with several presentations. The orchestra was at the VI International Festival of Classical Music of Bogotá, which in this edition focused on French music from the Belle Époque, a cultural movement that took place in Europe at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

For the concert director, French music is very elegant, very colorful, very emotional. French works are always very challenging, because they are very virtuoso for musicians and very innovative, he said: “…in my opinion, composers like Debussy or Ravel are among the greatest artists in history, and I dedicated many years of work to them. my life performing his works on piano or conducting them with orchestras around the world. Furthermore, I lived in Paris for many years, so I love French culture: literature, poetry, as well as painting and sculpture. When I conduct or play French music I think of those great painters like Monet, Degas, or Matisse, and they inspire me deeply. Furthermore, let us not forget that many jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington or Bill Evans were deeply inspired by French composers.”

In the afternoon of Friday the 7th, Filarmed's first French concert was heard at the Delia Zapata Auditorium with the participation of cello star Santiago Cañón.

The concert included the Suite My Mother the Goose by M. Ravel, the Cello Concerto No. 1 by C. Sain-Saëns, Prelude to the Nap of a Faun by C. Debussy and The Firebird (1919) by I. Stravinsky, the latter considered one of the orchestral miracles of the 20th century.

In the afternoon of Saturday 8, the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo was the setting to enjoy the second concert with the participation of the French pianist Alexandre Tharaud who accompanied the orchestra in the interpretation of the Concerto for the left hand by M. Ravel, it is an impressive feat and excitement musically, it is said that the sound and texture of the solo part rarely give the slightest clue that it is a simple hand. The concert was completed with the performance of The Sorcerer's Apprentice by P. Dukas and The Sea by C. Debussy.

"Our concerts in the capital highlight the importance of regional orchestras for the country's culture and remind us that the Medellín Philharmonic is not only a heritage of Antioquia but of the entire country." María Catalina Prieto, executive director.