Creating a collective emotional space
A hip-hop version of Peter and the Wolf opens the new OSV season in a programme that includes film soundtracks, work from great classical composers and the songs of Frank Sinatra
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Creating a collective emotional space Arxiu. -
Creating a collective emotional space Arxiu. -
Creating a collective emotional space Arxiu. -
The season includes pianist Iván Martín (top left), conductors Arthur Post and James Ross (above, left and right), crooner Michael Feinstein, and theremin performer Lydia Kavina. A. PUIG / ALAN DICKSON. -
Creating a collective emotional space Arxiu.
Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf opens the 21st season of the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès (OSV). However, it is a rather special version of the composition for children written in 1936, as it involves the hip-hop and urban culture company, Brodas Bros, jointly with SonarKids.
This eclectic choice marks the tone for the whole season, which includes soundtrack music, songs by Frank Sinatra, contemporary Catalan music, as well as great classics, such as Chopin, Beethoven and Puccini. In all there are 12 concerts planned: “The season aims to cover many types of music so that the symphony orchestras can reach a wider public,” says Jordi Cos, president of the OSV.
One of the highlights will, without doubt, be the debut of US crooner, Michael Feinstein, who will perform Sinatra numbers on November 19, as well as the “impactful and psychedelic” concert 'Els Planetes i Star Trek (January 21), with theremin soloist, Lydia Kavina, a disciple of the inventor of the strange electronic instrument, Leo Theremin.
Soundtracks
Meanwhile, the OSV has dipped into its highly-successful programme from two years ago, bringing back John Williams i els immortals del cinema (December 1), and drawing on more cinema with La bella dorment + Vertigo (June 3), two emblematic movie soundtracks to be conducted by Pedro Alcalde.
Cos also picks out the conductor who has settled in Catalonia, Arthur Post, who will offer a Christmas surprise with polkas, mazurkas and other pieces from around the world on December 17. The other new OSV conductor, James Ross, will conduct two events. One is Concert per a piano de Chopin (March 25) with pianist Iván Martín that includes a piece by Emilio Aragón, La flor més gran del món: “It is based on a poem by José Saramago and has been used for treatments with psychological disabilities.” The other is Pompa Britànica, on May 20, with pieces by Elgar that also includes work from Bruch and Haydn.
Finally, the Simfònica's Easter concert will be Puccini's Messa di Gloria (Missa de Glòria in Catalan) on April 8, led by master conductor Xavier Puig and with the participation of choirs from all over the country.
The OSV's last season drew an audience increase of 9%, reaching the record number of 18,218 people, and occupancy rate of 70%. Along with the 10% rise in revenue, Jordi Cos expresses his satisfaction: “We have earned the public's trust and are reaping the rewards of a policy to open up as much as possible to the classical music public, which often involves a lot of barriers. Our aim is to create a collective emotional space,” he says.