The artistic proposal of the sixth official concert of the year of the ULS Symphony includes works by acclaimed masters of universal music along with a piece of Chilean origin.

An international trip will arrive in the coming days to the conurbation in the company of two great figures and regular participants in the annual programs of the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra. In this August version, the cultural billboard is positioned with the sixth concert of the 2019 Season, which will evoke the purest feelings of 'Anger, Struggle & Passion'.

The musical evening promises two concerts in the Province of Elqui and will be conducted by the acclaimed American director, David Handel. His name is known on all four continents due to his passionate musical leadership and abilities to energize both orchestra and audiences, making him widely recognized as one of the most significant emerging conductors. In his career he has led numerous world premieres and has personally commissioned more than seventy original scores and orchestral arrangements.

Before her new visit to Elquina lands, the bold conductor expressed feeling very excited about this new concert that she will conduct on August 22 and 23: “it is always a pleasure to return to the Coquimbo Region and collaborate with colleagues and friends of an orchestra that I value.” a lot and in many ways, both on an artistic and human level.”

The artistic proposal for the sixth official concert of the year includes works by great masters of universal music along with the piece of Chilean origin, baptized as 'Code XX: Carne de tu carne', which will open this great symphonic gala: “ We will open the program with a work by Valeria Valle, written in 2017, which is defined by its three parts, very marked characteristics and textures; between the austere, the lyrical and a manifestation of discontent and irony. Valle uses lucid and expressive language. I have no doubt that the public, due to its great contemporary musical culture, will highly value this work, just as I do,” Handel said.

The symphonic journey will continue its route with the first cello concerto, written by the great Soviet composer, Dimitri Shostakovich. For the guest conductor, said work is not governed by norms and rules, rather it reflects the flight and inspiration of a unique genius: “the concert takes place in four movements, versus the formal tradition of three movements; "handling a harmonic and melodic language that always plays at the limit of mid-20th century Soviet standards, always elevating the expressive possibilities of the cello as an instrument with impressive solo possibilities," he assured.

The presentation of this piece will be performed by another great guest, the Spanish concert artist, Elisa Rodríguez Sádaba. A multifaceted artist who has been awarded numerous national acting awards; Since 2018 she has been part of the Kimsa Trio, a group formed with two great Chilean concert artists. In addition to her career, she adds teaching activities, including master classes and as a music and cello teacher.

Finally, the second part of the program will culminate with Symphony No. 3, titled 'The Scotsman', Op.56 written by Félix Mendelssohn, one of Handel's favorite works at the hands of this German genius: “although it is a symphony in the formal sense, like each of his symphonies, Mendelssohn had a special ability to poetically capture a certain essence of the cultural and musical environment. From what he captured, he managed to express it in his work so that the listening public perceived the same thing, a monumental talent. If we talk about literature, it would be Shakespeare or Cervantes, in this case it would be Mendelssohn,” he assured.

The musical event has two concert dates scheduled in the territory. The first will take place next Thursday, August 22 in the Performing Arts Room of the Palace Cultural Center of Coquimbo (Aldunate #599), to later replicate this same artistic proposal in the Aula Magna Ignacio Domeyko of the University of La Serena ( Benavente #980), thus joining the anniversary activities of the city of La Serena, which will celebrate its 475 years of life in a big way. Both concerts will take place at 20:00 p.m. and have free entry, without withdrawal of invitations, up to the total capacity of the venues.

It should be noted that this season is carried out thanks to the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the National Budget Glosa; in addition to the important institutional support provided by the University of La Serena, through the Directorate of Linkage with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture; and the Municipality of Coquimbo in conjunction with its Department of Culture.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra