The Magic of Flute Music and Classic Film Scores
The interplay between the music performed on stage and the audience’s enthusiastic response was the essence of what took place on Friday evening. The audience, which filled the Teatro Municipal to capacity, had the privilege of hearing a concert by the Casanovas Flute Orchestra, conducted by Maestro José Francisco Sánchez, that was just as fascinating as their premiere concert a year ago, this time, however, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Francisco Casanovas’s death. In a concert consisting of two parts, we heard classics of 18th-century music—the golden age of the flute—as well as film music classics. A well-composed concert program is not, in itself, a guarantee of success. However, the flute ensemble, the soloists, and conductor Sanchez ensured its success, enchanting the audience with their extraordinary optimism. But Let's move on to discussing the individual items on the agenda.
The Flute Orchestra opened the evening with a performance of W.A. Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute. It is a classic, familiar to music lovers for years. However, due to the lack of a repertoire originally composed for a flute orchestra, the ensemble must make do with adapted pieces and arrangements, which, for an ear familiar with the original sound of the work, may present a slight obstacle to accepting this difference. Not only did the artists impress with the perfection of their performance, but they also managed to interpret the work in a way that piqued the listeners’ curiosity—and that is no small feat. In the subsequent pieces of the program, the flute soloists took the opportunity to showcase their artistry. Thus, the audience was able to admire three excerpts from three different flute concertos by A. Vivaldi, performed by the Ismael duo Santonja and Mercedes Zapirain, along with soloists Lourdes Guillen and Begona Gonzales. It was clear that this evening would be no ordinary one. The audience seemed to be holding its breath so as not to disturb the exquisite performances. Meanwhile, an extraordinary atmosphere filled the stage, conjured by the soloists, the orchestra members, and conductor J.F. Sanchez—a feeling that persisted throughout the subsequent performances. Isabel Gualda masterfully handled the technical difficulties of the solo part in J.S. Bach’s Suite in B minor, and the duo of Ignacio Yepes and Manuel Guerrero** impressed with their performance of the finale from G.F. Telemann’s Concerto. The audience rewarded all the soloists—for their talent, musicality, and virtuosity—with thunderous applause. The famous finale of J. Haydn’s “Farewell Symphony” brought the concert to a close. the first, exceptionally cheerful part of the concert, although a similar mood prevailed after the intermission as well, when the audience was “captivated” by the film music.
In movies, music—though important—plays a supporting role. At a concert, however, the audience is able to appreciate its grandeur, which is usually hidden behind impressive stage design, special effects, and an engaging storyline.
The Flute Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Sanchez, opened the second part of the concert with the “Western Music Suite,” featuring film classics from the 1960s. It’s hard not to mention the names of the composers who undoubtedly contributed to the success of Western films. Newman, Morricone, and E. Bernstein created music that continues to captivate and move audiences, even though quite some time has passed since their premieres. As for “Out of Africa,” the music is very beautiful, although it comes across better—even perfectly—in the film. But the performance was superb!!!
The "Star Wars" theme is one of the most iconic soundtracks in the history of cinema, composed by the legendary composer and conductor J. Williams.
The music from "Star Wars" isn't just about recognizable themes—it's also an element that sparks our imagination and inspires us to explore new worlds.
Another highlight—and, in a sense, the icing on the cake—was a performance by singer Maria Sabater, who was accompanied by the Flute Orchestra in renditions of three hits that are also classics of film music. “Summertime,” “Autumn Leaves,” and “New York, New York” are melodies that have taken on a life of their own, separate from the films, and have been living their own lives for decades. Thanks to her beautiful renditions, M. Sabater transported the audience to another reality, sparking their imagination and sending a palpable shiver through the crowd.
Finally, a few words about the orchestra, which impressed with its precise intonation and velvety
sound and immense musicality. Maestro J.F. Sanchez sought to highlight all these elements, which, like spices in refined dishes, lend a suitably sophisticated flavor. Thus, there was a full range of precision, dynamic variety with finesse in timbre and contrast, but above all, energy radiating from the stage from all the performers. Of course, the audience gave the artists a standing ovation, and there were two encores.
Photos: Guardiola Molina Fernando
