November 1, 2015 at 8,15 pm
Jurriaanse zaal, de Doelen
Rotterdam
PROGRAM
world wide CD and documentary release
“Para caminar..”
Performance of Re:Orchestra with works of:
Eastern European folklore
Shostakovich Symphony op. 73a
Official Essential Music
Roberto Beltrán-Zavala
conductor
“Two years ago we started developing the idea of researching and exploring the influence of folklore in classical music. Classical music (with a few exceptions) is strongly influenced by folklore. Folklore is part of a person’s identity and folklore music is perhaps one of the strongest elements of local identity. No composer can escape from it; it is in all repertoire, in different degrees of intensity; it is always there and it is one of the main elements that provides classical music with lyricism and spontaneity.
In our concert and tour programs we started to explore the combination of both classical works and folklore pieces that would help us and the audience understand the classical works better; it would help us to find a direct way to the core of the music we play. The results have been overwhelming, moving and extremely motivating. We, the musicians, found ourselves deeply inspired by the folklore, and by playing it our approach to the classical repertoire changed radically. By doing this we challenged and renewed our own conventions and the audience’s experience and expectations.
The experiences gathered in these last two years are the heart of our plan. This is what gives us the passion and motivation to realize this project, re-contextualize the concept of “classical”, challenge conventions and search for the core essence of the music.”
Para caminar …
Para Caminar is a short documentary in which conductor Roberto Beltrán-Zavala and the Rotterdam based re:orchestra are on a mission to approach classical music from a different perspective. They are looking to contextualise the music of classical composers with the folk music of their surroundings that could have influenced their creative output. Invited by the M4 Culture Festival, orchestra and conductor leave to the Swiss alps to prepare for a series of concerts and a CD-recording. Throughout this process we get a glimpse at the unique dynamic between orchestra and conductor during rehearsals, concerts and recording sessions, and through a series of intimate interviews, Roberto reflects on the obstacles and questions that are on the paths of all artists.
Para Caminar was produced, filmed, directed and edited by Sid Duit, Tjeerd Melchers and Stefan Mandersloot, three of the most prominent and successful Dutch film makers of the youngest generation.
This is how it happened:
CD’s reviews:
Amadeus Magazine (Italy) | May 2016
“…scintillante interpretazione di Roberto Beltrán-Zavala che scolpisce le dinamiche e le timbriche della re:orchestra con maestría e intelligenza dialettica.”
Allmusic.com | James Manheim (February 2016)
“…The Re:Orchestra under conductor Roberto Beltrán-Zavala gives careful, tense performances that modulate beautifully between wiry and lush, in the vein of Barshai’s own recordings, and the musicians make an excellent case for these versions…”
Klassik-Heute.com | Dr. Hartmur Rück (February 2016)
“…Das in Rotterdam stationierte Re:Orchestra bietet einen insgesamt sonoren, warmherzigen Klang voller dichter Farben und anheimelnder Emotionalität, dazu auf hohem technischem Niveau und in guter Klangbalance. Insofern ist dies sicherlich eine Bereicherung der Schostakowitsch-Diskografie…”
Music Web International | Dan Morgan | February 2016
“…there’s a thrilling intensity here, a powerful sense of common purpose, that one hears only in the best ensembles”
“…It’s a mark of this conductor’s skill that he captures the distinct character of each movement…”
“Charismatic performances, full of spike and spark; an ensemble to watch…”
Opus klassiek | Aart van der Wal | January 2016
“een hechte en doorzichtige, maar ook warme ensembleklank, met een vlekkeloze intonatie, scherp afgebakende contouren, fraai gefraseerd, met vloeiende tempi en een stevige ritmische puls, zowel in de snelle als in de langzame delen”
“De vele spanningsbogen en het dynamische discours worden overtuigend neergezet, het evenwicht tussen ruige veelkleurige spanning en diep gevoelde melancholie goed gedoseerd”
