José M. Rodilla and Juan M. Murani presented their artistry in Torrevieja
In the auditorium of the Auditorium Internacional, the audience listened to the final concert, closing the 2024/25 season of the Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra, this time conducted by the outstanding conductor, maestro José Miguel Rodilla. A similar highlight of the evening was a performance by the extremely talented pianist Juan Miguel Murani.
Classicism usually allows attention to be focused on the smallest details that can really determine whether an interpretation will be outstanding or mediocre. Kicking off this special evening, we witnessed a performance in which the Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro José Miguel Rodilla, performed the Overture to the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” by W.A. with great precision and lightness. Mozart. One can successfully consider the interpretation of the overture as truly outstanding, full of natural charm and grace. Bravo
Continuing his contact with the music of the “Viennese Classic,” pianist Juan Miguel Murani took full advantage of the performance possibilities offered by W.A. Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor. Mozart, offering a technically as well as interpretively flawless performance, during which he brought out the beautiful palette of sounds hidden not only in the score, but also in the instrument itself. Already in the first movement, Murani delighted with sounds of crystalline purity, as well as exemplary phrasing and articulation, and of particular note was the excellent execution of the cadences. In the second movement of the work, the pianist achieved moments of exceptional depth, shaping the melodic line with an exquisite and precise legato. The third movement was performed by the soloist with virtuosity, energetically and joyfully, providing a suitable contrast with the previous movement. The Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro José Miguel Rodilla, served mainly in a supporting role, masterfully respecting the dynamic contrasts with a balanced tone. After such a magnificent performance, the excited audience, of course, had to receive an encore full of incredible energy, temperament, virtuosity and dynamic contrasts from the soloist.
The second part of the evening was devoted exclusively to Spanish music. Pedro Contreras - a well-known pianist, arranger, music producer and composer - selected several famous compositions by Spanish classics, creating a kind of suite of Spanish dances for orchestra and naming it “Spain - Music and Fire.” Thanks to the realization of this idea, popular and well-liked works by such well-known composers as Albeniz, Granados. de Falla and Rodrigo can be heard and performed during one concert, guaranteeing the audience a substantial dose of artistic experience.
With artful, precise and evocative orchestral direction, el Maestro Rodilla brought out a rich and varied sound, also distinguished by the intensity and balance of tone that characterizes the works performed. Excerpts from three of Manuel de Falla's most famous works - “Magic Love,” “A Short Life” and “The Triangle Hat” - performed in their original orchestral versions, particularly highlighted the joy, energy and characteristic rhythmic liveliness coming from music inspired, after all, by Spanish folklore. Similarly, works by Albéniz and Granados adapted for orchestra delighted with their wide range of instrumentation colors, as well as their unique temperament. The exception in this set was the second movement of Rodrigo's famous “Concierto de Aranjuez” - Rodrigo, in a wonderful orchestral version, where the rhythm of the gives way to a noble melody played beautifully in succession by soloists: cello, violin, oboe, flute and clarinet. Beautiful instrumentation by P.Contreras!
All in all, it was undoubtedly, a joyous and festive end to the season, during which we had the opportunity to admire the artistry of the great conductor José Miguel Rodilla, the excellent pianist Juan Miguel Murani and the Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra, which, as usual, demonstrated excellent form and an unquestionably high level of performance. The musicians, conducted by maestro Rodilla, performed an encore in gratitude for the applause, and it could not have been otherwise - the famous composition \"Boda de Luis Alonso' de G. Gimenez, performed with great temperament, although received by the audience with a certain amount of nostalgia, definitively ended the concert season. A standing ovation!
PS. As for the selection of guest conductors, the season was at a high level and I am sure it will be so in the next season as well. Until we meet again !!!
