Inauguration of Torrevieja Symphony's season with a high “C”

On Saturday, October 10, after long months of vacation, finally the inauguration of the 2025/26 season of the Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra, traditionally at the Auditorio Internacional hall. This time an exceptionally attractive concert program was presented by a well-known local audience, maestro Adolfo Arronis - director of the Youth Orchestra, and the excellent Russian songwriter Nikolai Grabowsky performed as soloist. I don't recall in the last decade that music lovers of the Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra have had the opportunity to savor the compositions performed today, so it's gratifying to know that today's music doesn't end with Beethoven or Dvorak, and that there will certainly be an opportunity to experience the classics with a much expanded repertoire amplitude.

The OST's inaugural concert, conducted by guest conductor Adolfo Arronis, began with a performance of a small-scale symphonic poem by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957) entitled “Finland.” From oppression and captivity through battle to victory - for this is how the intention of the composition can be read, the Poem begins with a gloomy chorale, moving into a violent battle scene, and then into an inspired hymn, as a song of triumph. The performance of the brilliantly disposed OST, under the baton of maestro A. Arromis, showcased all the sonic strengths of our orchestra, but above all, a magnificent, luminous forte with great depth of expression.

Hardly had the last notes of the poem “Finlandia” sounded, and the hall had already frozen in anticipation of one of the undisputed pillars of violin literature, which, along with “Finlandia,” is one of J.Sibelius' most popular compositions. The performer of the solo part in the Violin Concerto in D-minor Op 47 was a great violinist - soloist, winner of many music competitions - Nikolai Grabovsky, who impressed the music lovers with his excellent reading of the difficult musical text, ease in overcoming technical difficulties, virtuosity and great musicality. Sibelius' work, saturated with strong emotions, somewhat cold and dark, set in the climate of Scandinavian gloom, requires great sensitivity from the violinist. Successfully conveying the entire palette of passions, Grabovski's interpretation delighted the both in technique and emotionality. Separate applause is due to the Orchestra under the baton of maestro A. Arronis, who bravely accompanied the soloist in creating moods ranging from touching moments of melancholy to inspiring drama. We witnessed a superb performance by the soloist, crowned by an equally superb encore.

After the intermission, as the finale of his performance, Arronis planned a work - the Mont Everest of orchestral literature, the very undertaking of which demonstrates great artistic maturity.... Symphony No. 5 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893), continues the pattern of Beethoven's symphonies. And so it is brought closer to Beethoven's “Fifth” by the concept of interweaving a theme - the motto - through the work. This is a clarinet melody that recurs in various forms throughout the course of the work; from the introduction, through the brutal almost interruption of the unearthly mood introduced by the horn in the second movement, to the third movement, where the course of the waltz is disrupted, to appear in brighter colors in the finale in a spirit of frenetic playfulness. At this point let me single out clarinetist - Francisco Garres and horn player - Marcos Soler,for beautifully performed solos. The symphonists, conducted by maestro A.Arronis, exuded extraordinary energy. One could see, hear and feel how the conductor and musicians conveyed the fascinating beauty of the work with great commitment, joy and passion. Maestro Arronis knew how to bring out all, even the smallest details beautifying the symphony, achieving a truly exquisite artistic quality. We witnessed a performance that was technically precise, and musically full of poetry and wisdom, It was an evening of beauty, reflection and musical energy.

As a result of the applause, the Orchestra under Arronis performed 2 encores, the first of which was the world premiere of the interesting, melodic and expressive piece “Ellen's Visión” by Francisco Casanovas, arranged by J.F. Cayuelas, and “Pas de deux” by P.Tchaikovsky.