All orchestras display certain traits to the trained ear but there are some orchestras that somehow seem to express a very distinct personality. The Galicia Symphony Orchestra (or ‘Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia’) is such an ensemble, bringing elements of Spanish passion and colour to a varied programme that was markedly longer than the majority of classical concerts.
The fact this was a cultural export rather than just recitals of great works was enforced with this performance having been a joint-production with the official Spanish language and cultural body, Instituto Cervantes.
The extensive programme comprised (almost) entirely of Spanish works from the twentieth century with the exception being the World Premier of ‘Ruada’ by Fernando Buide, an active young composer from Spain who was worked extensively in America. This rousing piece made full use of the fifty-strong orchestra pleasingly feeling modern without being unnecessarily experimental or avant-garde and got the evening off to a flying start. This was followed by three dances from Falla’s 1919 Ballet ‘Three Cornered hat’ and you knew this was Spanish if no for other reason than the extensive use of maracas, amongst the battery of percussion at the back (although it was hard to see why a triangle player was included, whose single note seemed inaudible). There was no ignoring the bass and kettle drums though and Spanish flair filled the auditorium, naturally with a heavy emphasis on the brass section.
Around a third of the orchestra left the stage prior to the entry of the star of the show, Spanish guitar virtuoso Thibaut Garica who performed Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’. This piece perfectly alternated between the pure, solo sound of gut guitar strings and a full orchestra, starting off with some relatively basic flamenco but building into sophisticated classical guitar, culminating with a strong bass melody underlaid with a constant Italian-sounding quiver that sounded quite remarkable. Some of the concierto sounded very familiar having been used (amongst other places) in the classic John Wayne western ‘Rio Bravo’ and the piece provided an excellent vehicle through which to display Garcia’s considerable talents. In true Spanish style, the lead musician and the conductor finished with ‘un abrazo’ rather than the customary hearty handshake.
The second half comprised works by Ravel interspersed with Turina’s ‘Seville Symphony’. The pieces from Ravell’s ‘Mother Goose’ ballet had absolutely no Spanish connection but conductor Roberto Gonzalez-Monjas certainly added an element of Hispanic colour, which continued into the offering from Turina. Ravel was of course French but it worth noting that his most famous work ‘Bolero’ (now ever linked now to Torvill and Dean’s Gold medal performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics) was actually a commission to orchestrate six pieces by Spanish piano composer Isaac Albeniz and the overall sound, right down to the name, is essentially Spanish in character.
‘Bolero’ is a remarkable piece of music, starting off quietly as a refrain, repeated in turn by a wide range of solo woodwind and brass instruments, underscored by massed strings. The ultimate climax is steadily built up to a huge crescendo and for this piece, the orchestra grew to at least sixty in number. The steady one-two beat of the kettle drum provided a constant beat that was reminiscent of the time-marker for the galley slaves in the movie ‘Ben Hur’, building up to full ramming speed for ‘Bolero’s climax.
The two-hour performance got a rousing response from the audience who had been given unquestionable value for money but conductor Gonzalez-Monjas then faced the auditorium to explain that there was still more with a bonus piece by another twentieth-century Spanish composer, ‘Negra Sombra’ by J. Montes; a fitting end to a most excellent evening of vibrant and expressive music.
The Galicia Symphony Orchestra is on tour around the UK -
https://imgartists.com/news/roberto-gonzalez-monjas-and-galicia-symphony-
orchestra-embark-on-uk-tour-10-17-april/
Reviewer - John Waterhouse
On -3.04.26
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