[ Lee esta news en español aquí]
Dear friends of MirloStudio,
A week ago, last Thursday, October 17, at the National Auditorium in Madrid I “made my debut” as an orchestra conductor. I put it in quotation marks, because my participation consisted of conducting a group of wind instruments off-stage. In the main stage, the Orquesta Filarmonía of Madrid kept the excitement going under the baton of maestro Pascual Osa, while in the distance his assistants (myself and Fran) participated. At the end of the concert we were all really happy with the thunderous applause the orchestra and soloists had, as well as the choir, which was excellent.
For me, this means the realization of a dream and a goal that I have been working towards for many years (almost, I would say since my earliest childhood). The work in question was Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony, also called “Resurrection”. This work in question is amazing, and I encourage you to listen to it live if you have the opportunity. Before the English section of this newsletter you can find what I believe to be the best recorded version of this symphony full of contrasts and, above all, intense. Specifically, I was conducting the internal band in the last movement - musicians who come off stage to play from the wings and create a unique sound due to the feeling of distance.
In this regard, I would like to thank Maestro Osa for the trust he has placed in me, who has been guiding, advising, and “pushing” me during these last 9-10 months, and without whose help this opportunity and unforgettable experience would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the many conducting teachers I have had over the years (Colin Metters, Bruno Weil, Mark Shapiro, Luis Clemente…).
In this concert, I also contributed my grain of sand as an arranger/orchestrator in a number that united the Chinese folk song “Molihua” with the final chorus that Puccini composed for his opera Turandot, making reference to this piece… The result with the entrance of the chorus and the contribution of the percussionists was impressive.
And finally, I also had the opportunity to turn the pages to the pianist in charge of the piano concerto that completed the program, thus recovering the support that years ago, as a student, I had the opportunity to offer to great pianists in this same Auditorio Nacional.
In the midst of a very intense family moment, this evening was a true gift for everyone, and as you can imagine, for a few days I could not even find the words to share all this. To those who have been following me for a long time - or not so long - thank you very much accompanying me and for your support.
In any case, it is time to get back to work with the Coro Filarmonía, and we are already preparing our next concert on November 24, in which we will sing Mozart's Requiem. I will soon write you a new post (hopefully including a podcast episode) about this great work, and the interesting history of its composition…
Have a great week-end, and see you soon!
Manuel Gimferrer, conductor, pianist & composer.