Castellon Symphony Orchestra surprises with surprises in Aspe
In the beautiful hall of the Wagner Theater in Aspe, on the last evening of February, a large audience was blessed with an exceptionally interesting symphonic concert full of attractive surprises. The unquestionable surprise of the concert was the very performance - for the first time in Aspe - of the Orchestra Sinf贸nic de Castell贸n, which was conducted - also for the first time, by guest conductor Daniel Abad Casanova, a well-known guest conductor with extensive professional experience. Another highlight was a program, devoted exclusively to Spanish music, entitled "Falla y sus horizontes"** and finally a performance by phenomenal soloist Antonio Serrano.
A strong start to the concert, setting the mood for the evening, was a dignified and solemn performance of the piece "Asturias" by I.Albeniz, followed by an exquisite feast, consisting of real dishes - hits of Spanish classical music. And so we heard "Amorosa" - J Guridi, a composition full of beautiful nostalgia, reverie and serenity, which manages to charm the audience with its subtlety and exquisite sound color of the orchestra. A great deal of vitality, joy and positive sound energy could be admired in J.Turina's piece - "Orgia", while in "Intermezzo" by E. Granados, the orchestra under the baton of Daniel Abad showed off extraordinary expression and emotional sensitivity. In turn, in "Boda de Luis Alonso" by G.Gimenez, the performers presented a thrillingly energetic version of the sound, while in the Interludio "Leyenda del Beso"- Soutullo and Vert it was not difficult to notice interestingly exposed all the dynamic details and nuances, as Sinf贸nica de Castell贸n and maestro Daniel Abad Casanova are artists of great sensitivity and originality in performance, which they also proved in the closing first movement, full of verve "Preludio de la Revoltosa" by R,Chapi. From the very first bars of the concert, the orchestra, conducted by Daniel Abad, proved to be a high-class ensemble, full of expression, precise, virtuosic, with a full palette of colors and contrasts.
After intermission, it was time for the concert's most anticipated and attractive surprise. Ballet music for Manuel de Falla's "Sombrero de tres picos" in an arrangement for harmonica with orchestra. The arrangement of the work can be regarded as a kind of curiosity, since the composition remains virtually unchanged after the arrangement, and only modifications to the instrumentation allow the armonica to shine as a solo instrument. The result is a kind of suite for harmonica and orchestra. The arranger and performer of the solo part, a magnificent composition by Manuel de Falla, turned out to be Antonio Serrano, an outstanding instrumentalist, impressing with his incredible, almost circus-like technique, musicality and musical maturity. The piece itself is a great attraction for listeners and performers. It is rhythmic, accessible composition, in which there is an incredible amount of energy. It is a work that cannot be treated with indifference. Thanks to the orchestra, conductor and soloist, we witnessed a performance that was downright sensational, with Antonio Serrano's performance of "I got rhythm" de G. Gershwin, stunning the audience to end the performance with the performance of the second encore; Danza No 1 de "La vida breve" also by Manuela de Falla.
Daniel Abad Casanova led the well-disposed Castell贸n orchestra with great temperament, sensitivity and professionalism - he was present, but not dominant, giving space for the music to speak for itself. On the stage of the theater there was a tremendous amplitude of performance means and dynamics, and among the audience ...delight and standing applause. The energ铆a of this music was downright stunning. Someone will one day mention this concert, and I will be proud to have been a part of it. In every way a sensational concert.
ENHORABUENA.
Magdalena Krzysztofik
