Roots:
Where it all begins
The 2025 Season of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra pays homage to our roots, the origin of who we are as a community, as individuals, and as a symphonic tradition. This concert series will not only explore music, but also the cultures, histories, and ties that strengthen our identity as a society.
- “Roots” is a season to rediscover what unites us, inviting the community on a sonic journey that celebrates our traditions, reflects on our past and acknowledges how they have shaped our identity. Through music, we will strengthen our collective memories and celebrate the diversity that defines us.
- “Raíces” celebrates female talent and great musical milestones.
This year we celebrate the talent of women in music with conductors and soloists who stand out for their sensitivity and innovation. In addition, we will pay tribute to Vivaldi for his three centuries of “The Four Seasons”, to Ravel on his 150th anniversary, to Hans Christian Andersen for his literary legacy and to Shostakovich, half a century after his passing. These tributes transform great milestones of music and literature, connecting our cultural roots with the future.
- On February 22, the season kicks off with a program that celebrates our roots. The Suite stay de Ginastera evokes the vitality of Latin America, the Serenade for strings Dvořák’s Symphony No. 1 pays homage to the folklore of Central Europe and America, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, though influenced by Beethoven, explores its own roots to create something new. Conducted by Ana María Patiño-Osorio, this concert highlights the relationship between Brahms and Dvořák, who shared a deep admiration, making it a tribute to our traditions and the musical connections that unite us.
For María Catalina Prieto, executive director of Filarmed, this season is a return to the origins, a connection with our traditions to build the future. “We don’t need to start from scratch to innovate; the real impetus is to remember where we come from,” she says. With a majority of Latin American guests, the season highlights the talent, strength and soul of this continent as the future of symphonic music.
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2024: A year of connection and transformation
In 2024, the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra consolidated its commitment to be much more than an orchestra: a bridge between communities, a driving force of social change and a cultural reference for Antioquia. Inspired by the word “connection,” Filarmed designed a season focused on people, integrating their stories, visions and emotions in each concert.
Season 2024: Connections that transform
Throughout the year, Filarmed worked with eleven key communities in Medellín, including musicians, people with disabilities, street artists, athletes, senior citizens, victims of the conflict, entrepreneurs, youth, expatriates, health workers and children. Each month, a group participated in curating concerts, contributing ideas on stage design, programs, talks and activities. This collaboration redefined the relationship between symphonic music and citizens. “We wanted the orchestra to be relevant and transformative for the communities, for them to feel part of our music,” said María Catalina.
Celebrating cultural heritage and inclusion
In tribute to Fernando Botero, Filarmed presented a series of concerts inspired by his iconic sculptures, exploring new ways of connecting visual art with music. In addition, the orchestra celebrated its recognition at the Kennedy Center’s LEAD Awards, which for the first time honored an organization outside the United States. This award highlights Filarmed’s efforts in accessibility and inclusion, particularly through the “Soy Músico” program, which empowers people with disabilities through music.
Social impact through music and culture
The Filarmed program in the communes brought free concerts to public spaces in Medellín, strengthening the social fabric. As part of this initiative, a series of Philharmonic Retreats were presented in the city center, reviving the inclusive spirit of these concerts. In addition, the project Let's populate invited the city to once again inhabit the heart of El Poblado with art and culture, promoting the appropriation of public spaces and citizen encounters.
The Reconciliación and Grupo Vocal Filarmónico choirs offered workshops in vulnerable neighborhoods, giving young people affected by violence the opportunity to transform their lives through song. In June, the Urabá Children's and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (FilU) was launched, benefiting 369 children and young people from the banana corridor. In addition, the Jornadas Escolares Complementarias project allowed students to play alongside Filarmed, highlighting the transformative power of music.
Musical diversity and great milestones
The season was highlighted by the interpretation of works from Latin American and universal music, and by unforgettable collaborations with international soloists and conductors. Among them, the cellist Santiago Cañón and the soprano Julieth Lozano, two Colombian artists with an international career, together with the renowned conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, acclaimed for his innovative artistic vision. At the same time, Filarmed reaffirmed its versatility by exploring new genres: from Filartrónica, which fused electronic music with the symphonic universe, through to Los Hispanos Filarmónico, which made Medellín dance on two occasions, to concerts that paid tribute to the music of Guns N' Roses, Metallica and Coldplay, demonstrating that symphonic music can connect with all audiences and styles.
In the words of the director: “We believe in music as a powerful tool to transform Medellín. This year we reaffirm our commitment to the communities and continue exploring new ways to inspire and connect.”
2.497.966
Ppeople played by the music that the orchestra saw in concerts, in-person activities and television broadcasts.
140
In-person concerts
206
Open trials
2025, a year to return to our roots
Guests
The Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2025 Season highlights female talent in music, with the participation of female conductors and soloists who enrich artistic diversity. By including women in the programming, we promote gender equality and bring unique perspectives to symphonic music. This initiative inspires new generations to engage with classical music and reaffirms the orchestra’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Guest conductors include prominent names from around the world, such as Ana María Patiño-Osorio, María Camila Barbosa, Tami Daniel Rueda Blanco, Johann Guzmán from Colombia; Alejandra Urrutia and Paolo Bortolameolli from Chile; Henrik Schaefer from Germany; and Glass Marcano, Manuel López Gómez, Alexis Cárdenas and Christian Vásquez from Venezuela. These talented conductors will lead Filarmed in performances that fuse tradition and innovation.
The soloists include baritone Gunter Haumer from Austria, violinist Stella Chen from the United States, and Filarmed musicians clarinetist Laura Payome and bassoonist David Felipe Reyes, both from Colombia. Also participating will be guitarist Juan David Osorio and tiplista Lucas Saboya from Colombia and cuatro player and harpist Gabriel Borrero from Venezuela, who will pay tribute to Latin American music. Also joining will be violinist Guy Braunstein from Israel, who was concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Key moments of the year
In 2025, Filarmed presents its new associate conductor and transforms major milestones in symphonic music and literature into a bridge to our cultural essence. Each anniversary becomes an inclusive experience that connects past and present, inviting us to explore the roots that nourish our identity and to imagine a future where these memories continue to resonate.
- 300 years from the premiere of The four seasons of TO. Vivaldi: We celebrate the anniversary of this baroque masterpiece, which remains a pillar of the classical repertoire, now with an Afro-Latin adaptation.
- 150 years of birth of M. Ravel: Filarmed celebrates the brilliant French composer, master of impressionism and creator of unforgettable works such as Suite from My Mother Goose.
- 150 years of the death of Hans Christian Andersen: The children's segment Do Re Mingo Favorito will pay tribute to the famous Danish writer, creator of unforgettable stories such as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Snow Queen.
- 50th anniversary of the death of D. Shostakovich: Filarmed pays tribute to the Russian maestro, famous for his symphonies and chamber music that capture the complexity of the 20th century.
- We will be accompanied by two outstanding world-class instrumentalists. The violinist Stella Chen, is recognized for her first place in the prestigious 2019 Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition. For her part, Guy Braunstein, Israeli violinist and former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, renowned for his virtuosity, has worked with greats such as Zubin Mehta and Daniel Barenboim. Today, he is a performer and conductor, playing a Francesco Ruggieri violin from 1679.
- Tami Daniel Rueda Blanco will debut as associate director of Filarmed.
Trained in Vienna, he has been assistant conductor of the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in Denmark and is a fellow of the German Conductors' Forum. His arrival will bring a fresh and enriching perspective to the ensemble.
“Roots, for me, represent the foundation that supports and nourishes something beautiful: a tree, an idea, a piece of music. They are the point of origin, that essential core from which everything emerges and diversifies, whether as human beings or as a musical concept. For an orchestra like Filarmed, deeply connected to the community of Medellín and Antioquia, the challenge is to understand that original essence that unites us and nourishes us.”
— Tami Daniel Rueda Blanco, associate director.
“Roots” in music
The Roots Season 2025 begins the February 22 with a concert that celebrates the spirit of our Latin American and universal roots. Under the direction of Ana María Patiño-Osorio, the Suite stay by A. Ginastera will evoke the vitality of the Argentine countryside with colorful dances. Serenade for strings by A. Dvořák will pay tribute to European folklore, while the Symphony No. 1 by J. Brahms presents a message of belonging and universality.
He March 15th, our guest Alejandra Urrutia, recognized as one of the most talented Chilean conductors for her precision, sensitivity and deep emotional connection with orchestras, will take the baton to direct a program that will explore the connections between music and our shared histories.
He March 29, Manuel López-Gómez will take the audience on a journey through magical landscapes. Midday on the Plain by A. Estévez, Lohengrin, prelude act I by R. Wagner, Suite from My Mother the Goose by M. Ravel and Symphony No. 12 by D. Shostakovich will intertwine European and Latin American traditions in a dialogue fascinating.
He May 24th, the Venezuelan director Glass Marcano, formed in the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela, will join the orchestra to conduct the Symphony No. 3 by F. Mendelssohn, X-ray for requinto guitar by Juan David Osorio, who will also be the soloist, and Kauyumari by Gabriela Ortiz. This program will highlight the connection between youth, vitality and tradition.
He June 14th, the director Henrik Schaefer and the baritone Gunter Haumer They will guide us through a romantic program that includes Backing song – G. Mahler and Bränningar by the composer H. Munktell. The concert will culminate with the Unfinished Symphony by F. Schubert, in its “finished” version, offering a complete interpretation that has captivated audiences for years.
He June 28th, the violinist and conductor Alexis Cardenas, accompanied by prominent musicians such as the Colombian tiplista Lucas Savoy and Venezuelan cuatro player and harpist Gabriel Borrero, will take us to a reimagining of the Four seasons by A. Vivaldi with an Afro-Latin touch. This concert will be a celebration of cultural richness and innovation.
He July 26th, the Season continues with a concert that explores the link between music and cultural roots. Under the direction of Tami Daniel Rueda-White, the following will be presented Polovtsian dances by A. Borodin, the Suite for orchestra by Luis Carlos Figueroa and the Symphonic Dances Op. 45 by S. Rachmaninov. A sound experience that unites and transcends time.
He August 23, Filarmed will join the director Christian Vasquez Now the violinist Stella Chen to offer a concert that celebrates how the new generations keep our musical roots alive. The program will include the Violin Concerto by J. Brahms, the Overture of the Colombian Land Suite by José Rozo Contreras, and the Enigma Variations by E. Elgar. Rozo Contreras' work, premiered by the Vienna Symphony in the 1930s, perfectly complements the Brahms concerto, creating a unique experience.
He September 13th, under the direction of Paolo Bortolameolli, an exceptional interpretation of the Symphony No. 9 by G. Mahler, a work that symbolizes legacy and transcendence. Through Mahler, the Orchestra will take us on a sound journey that honors our memories and sense of belonging, reflecting the deep roots of our identity. This concert will feature more than 120 musicians on stage, with the participation of various orchestras from the city.
He October 18th, Johann-Sebastian Guzman will lead a program celebrating the roots of classical and Latin American music. Concerto for clarinet and bassoon by R. Strauss, accompanied by the soloists Laura Payome and David Felipe Reyes, musicians from Filarmed, will be the central theme of this presentation, which will also include an outstanding Latin American work. Through this program, the importance of our musical traditions will be highlighted, fusing the classical and the indigenous.
He November 8th, the 2025 Season will close with an unforgettable concert, where Maria Camila Barbosa will conduct alongside the virtuoso violinist Guy Braunstein, former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, one of the world's leading orchestras. Through music, we will explore the ties that unite us with other traditions, while celebrating what makes us unique and connects us to the world.
Join us on this journey through collective memory and the rich sound that defines our history!
To captivate the city
Filarmed in the communes
Filarmed brings music to the heart of communities, connecting us with our stories and traditions. Churches, parks, theatres and museums will be the stages where the collective meets music, celebrating the roots that unite us as a society.
Throughout the year, prominent musicians such as Christian Vásquez, Stella Chen, Guy Braunstein and Glass Marcano, among others, will invite us to reflect on our origins and celebrate the cultural diversity that defines Medellín. These free performances are an invitation to reconnect with our identity through the stories and soundscapes that connect us.
Retreats in Bolivar Park
This year Filarmed is resuming the traditional Retretas in Bolívar Park, a series of Sunday concerts that bring music and joy to one of the most emblematic spaces in the city. These free performances seek to strengthen community ties and celebrate the cultural richness of Medellín, offering repertoires ranging from classical to popular, performed by various musical ensembles of the Orchestra.
By bringing music to the heart of the city, Filarmed invites citizens to reconnect with their roots and enjoy moments of family recreation, revitalizing a tradition that dates back to 1892 and is part of Medellín's cultural heritage.
Chamber music for the city
Chamber music will be the protagonist in open spaces throughout the city. In association with the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín, we will bring brass, percussion and string ensembles to a format that celebrates the mastery of each performer, exploring repertoires that travel from Latin America to Europe.
These free concerts will invite citizens to rediscover the cultural roots that connect us, in an intimate encounter with the rich sound that defines our identity.
Medellin Circuit
It is an initiative by Promotora Cultural that aims to position the city as a top-level cultural destination, uniting entities such as Filarmed, the Museo de Antioquia, the MAMM and Cantoalgre, among others. Through a joint programming of exhibitions, concerts, workshops and events, the project promotes the cultural diversity of the city, encourages collaboration between local and national artists, and reinforces the cultural identity of the city. In addition, it seeks to promote cultural tourism and citizen participation, boosting the social and economic development of Medellín.
Do Re Mingo Favorite!
The children's segment “Do Re Mingo Favorito” pays tribute to the legacy of Hans Christian Andersen, 150 years after his death. Through concerts full of magic, we will celebrate unforgettable stories such as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and The Tin Soldier, connecting families with the richness of stories that have marked generations. Cultural entities such as the Metropolitan Ballet, Cantolagre and Musicreando will also join this celebration.
These performances will be a gateway to imagination and creativity, where music and narration intertwine to bring children and adults closer to the power of music and literature.
Philharmonic tributes
This year we celebrate the great icons of music with unforgettable versions that mix the classic and the contemporary.
From the iconic melodies of Queen performed alongside city choirs, to the legacy of Michael Jackson Brought to the stage by the Metropolitan Ballet, these concerts will be a tribute to the figures who have marked generations, connecting with new symphonic experiences.
Philharmonic mergers
This segment highlights unique encounters between symphonic music and other artistic expressions. These special presentations unite tradition and avant-garde, showcasing the orchestra's versatility in unforgettable experiences.
From No Te Va Gustar Filarmónico and Cantoalegre Filarmónico, to the magic of Star Wars and Encanto de Disney alongside the Metropolitan Ballet, and the tribute to Botero, each concert will be a vibrant celebration of the creativity and diversity that define our cultural identity.
Projections
FIlarmed and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The world's orchestras are turning their attention to Filarmed, recognizing its excellence and leadership in the symphonic field. One example of this is the joint project with the Dallas Symphony, which will carry out a recording that will strengthen the musical ties between both institutions and will highlight Filarmed's talent and quality on the international stage. This project reflects the Orchestra's commitment to continue growing and consolidating itself as a global reference in symphonic music.
Filarmed in Bogotá
For the first time, in April, Filarmed joins the Teatro Colsubsidio Season in Bogotá with exciting fusions alongside the Ensamble Cruzao and the Quinteto Revolucionario. This unique tour celebrates the richness of our traditions, the power of encounters, and Filarmed's ability to collaborate with the city's main cultural entities. A tribute to national talent that promises unforgettable moments and a deep connection with the capital's audience.
United orchestras
Filarmed reaffirms its commitment to the United Orchestras project, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the Colombian musical ecosystem through collaboration between various symphonic groups in the country.
This joint effort promotes the integration of musicians from different regions, facilitating cultural and artistic exchange, and enriching the musical offering for the public. A prominent example of this collaboration is the concert scheduled for the May 10th, where Orff's Carmina Burana will be performed in partnership with the EAFIT Symphony and Iberacademy.
These synergies not only enhance national talent, but also contribute to the development of a collective musical identity, reflecting the roots and cultural diversity of Colombia.
Social programs
In 2025, Filarmed will continue to strengthen its community impact through two key social programs:
Reconciliation Chorus: A peace initiative that brings together victims and peace signatories. This year it will expand its call to new communities, renew its repertoire focused on reconciliation and consolidate alliances with social organizations to expand its reach.
I am a Musician: An inclusive program for people with disabilities and/or neurodiversity that will continue to offer free itinerant workshops. Advanced participants will move on to the projection group, receiving specialized instrumental training with musicians from the Orchestra and participating in cultural venues in the city. In addition, cultural accessibility initiatives for people with disabilities will be strengthened.
Filarmed training programs
The Children's and Youth Orchestra of Urabá (FilU) program will focus on challenging and strengthening the skills of its young musicians. Through a “side by side” project, musicians from the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra will tour Urabá, offering three concerts alongside members of FilU. Based on our experience with the Escuela Orquesta program, we are moving towards community music, opening up space for the participation of parents, families and local artists, creating a community choir and sharing the richness of Colombian music.
Complementary School Days: Work will be done to expand coverage to reach more students in the region, bringing music and training to more educational institutions.
With these programs, Filarmed reaffirms its commitment to inclusion, peace and cultural education in Antioquia.
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