Sinfónica de Tenerife has put together an unrepeatable programme blending Wagner’s dramatism –with Tannhäusser– with Strauss’s depth in the symphonic poem Thus Spoke Zarathustra. To complement it, they will also perform his Concerto for oboe and Orchestra in D major with François Leleux, artist in residence this season, as soloist. The concert brings together more than 100 musicians at Sala Sinfónica in Auditorio de Tenerife, and is led by the principal conductor of the orchestra, Antonio Méndez. It is taking place on Friday, the 3rd at 7:30 pm thanks to the collaboration between the Cabildo’s orchestra and Joven Orquesta de Canarias (Jocan) [Young Canarian Orchestra].  

About the event, the Island Director for Culture and Education, José Luis Rivero, points out that it symbolises “the will to generate collective working structures in cultural areas” which in this case materialises in the participation in the concert of 12 musicians of the Joven Orquesta de Canarias. The outreach programme of the orchestra, through Cabildo’s Tenerife 2030 initiative, fosters this collaboration in which “young interpreters of the islands have the chance to interact with Sinfónica’s teachers and work for a week with a conductor like Antonio Méndez and a soloist like Leleux, both of unquestionable quality and who have performed in the major stages worldwide”.

German philosopher Friedrich W. Nietzsche (1844-1900) is the connection of this Romantic programme, which starts with the overture Tannhäusser by Richard Wagner (1813-1883), with whom he had an intense friend-hate relationship. The German philosopher had a not very well-known composing facet, which Wagner mocked. This led to the break-up of their friendship, among other things. As musicologist and doctor in Philosophy, Marina Hervás, says in her programme’s notes, “one of the theoretical conflicts between them, which marks the pieces [in this concert], is depth and redemption”. The overture of this 19th century opera has a delicate melody that explores that musical redemption.

Thus spoke Zarathustra op. 30 is considered to be the second piece in which Richard Strauss (1864-1949) showed his interest in Nietzsche. This symphonic poem -whose first notes film lovers can identify with 2001, A Space Odyssey– starts from a selection of a few fragments from the homonymous title by the German philosopher. Although a direct translation of the text which inspires the music is not evident, Strauss articulates his composition around the “Superman” motif and looks into some isolated episodes of the spiritual journey described in Nietzsche’s work.

Tickets can be bought at the box office, from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, Monday to Saturday; by phone calling 902 317 327; or on the internet  www.sinfonicadetenerife.es  and www.auditoriodetenerife.com.

Artist in residence

For the first time Sinfónica de Tenerife 2018-19 season presents an artist in residence, musician François Leleux, who is taking part in two programmes, one as solo oboe and another one as conductor. The concert on Friday is an excellent chance to enjoy his interpretation of the Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D major, TrV 292/op. 144 by Strauss. Regarded as a post-war rarity, instead of showing the horror of war, the author composes a carefree, kind piece that is extremely complex for the soloist.

In addition to this concert, Leleux is offering on Thursday, the 2nd, one of the master classes Sinfónica de Tenerife has scheduled for the season included in their socio-educational area. With these activities, which are organised in collaboration with Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias, Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Joven Orquesta de Canarias, and sponsored by Fundación Cepsa and Obra Social ‘la Caixa’, the orchestra supports the training of young musicians of the Island, making the most of soloists taking part in the season programme. Violinist Michael Barenboim will give the last master class this season on 13 June.