The audience at GLive rose to their feet in raptuous applause last night as the Orquesta Filarmónica de México concluded the 2nd night of their first ever UK tour with a rousing rendition of Moncayo's riotous Huapango.
With a programme that included a vibrant mix of Mexican/Spanish compositions intermingled with more traditional classical favourites, the orchestra's enormous dexterity and talent were shown at their very best. Jan Latham-Koenig conducted this passionate group of musicians whose string section in particular played with incredible precision and confidence.
Two compositions by Arturo Marquez were particularly rousing, indeed I found it hard to stay in my seat during Danzón No 2, one of the orchestra's signature works. Márquez is perhaps Mexico's best-known contemporary composer and his lively pieces draw on Creole dance traditions of Cuba as well as complex rhythms. In Danzón No 2, some surprising staccato sections for the violins combine with sliding brass and jazzy percussion to create wonderful, almost hypnotic, mix of pulse and melody.
In complete contrast, The Lark Ascending brought absolute quiet to GLive. Not a pin dropped as Tasmin Little drew the sweetest of notes from her violin; we were effortlessly swept away to blue skies and the innocence of summer as she connected completely with her beautiful Guadagnini violin, but equally important, never forgot the importance of her fellow musicians. Tasmin has won many awards, received an OBE and achieved international fame with her fine playing - it was an absolute honour to see her play at GLive.
It was also a privilege to see painist Jorge Federico Osorio, who opened the second half of the concert with an incredible rendition of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. With the grand piano moved to the front of the stage, we had a fine view of his hands as they flew across the keyboards, backed by a tremendously rousing sound from the orchestra and perfectly timed percussion, so important to this popular and uplifting jazzy number.
Also in the hot seat was Rodrigo Garibay, a fine saxophonist and clarinettist from Mexico City, who played alto sax in tonight's rendition of Adiòs Nonino, composed by Argentine-born Astor Piazzolla.
This was the type of orchestra and performance that fully confirms the importance of GLive as a great concert venue. The audience were fully appreciative of the distance travelled by this large group of fine musicians who make up OFUNAM. One of the most significant and exciting projects initiated by the National University of Mexico, over 100 wonderful musicians took command of the venue and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome them to Surrey as part of their UK tour.
Further dates:
July 8th Basingstoke, The Anvil
July 9th London, Cadogan Hall
www.ofunam.unam.mx
With a programme that included a vibrant mix of Mexican/Spanish compositions intermingled with more traditional classical favourites, the orchestra's enormous dexterity and talent were shown at their very best. Jan Latham-Koenig conducted this passionate group of musicians whose string section in particular played with incredible precision and confidence.
Two compositions by Arturo Marquez were particularly rousing, indeed I found it hard to stay in my seat during Danzón No 2, one of the orchestra's signature works. Márquez is perhaps Mexico's best-known contemporary composer and his lively pieces draw on Creole dance traditions of Cuba as well as complex rhythms. In Danzón No 2, some surprising staccato sections for the violins combine with sliding brass and jazzy percussion to create wonderful, almost hypnotic, mix of pulse and melody.
In complete contrast, The Lark Ascending brought absolute quiet to GLive. Not a pin dropped as Tasmin Little drew the sweetest of notes from her violin; we were effortlessly swept away to blue skies and the innocence of summer as she connected completely with her beautiful Guadagnini violin, but equally important, never forgot the importance of her fellow musicians. Tasmin has won many awards, received an OBE and achieved international fame with her fine playing - it was an absolute honour to see her play at GLive.
It was also a privilege to see painist Jorge Federico Osorio, who opened the second half of the concert with an incredible rendition of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. With the grand piano moved to the front of the stage, we had a fine view of his hands as they flew across the keyboards, backed by a tremendously rousing sound from the orchestra and perfectly timed percussion, so important to this popular and uplifting jazzy number.
Also in the hot seat was Rodrigo Garibay, a fine saxophonist and clarinettist from Mexico City, who played alto sax in tonight's rendition of Adiòs Nonino, composed by Argentine-born Astor Piazzolla.
This was the type of orchestra and performance that fully confirms the importance of GLive as a great concert venue. The audience were fully appreciative of the distance travelled by this large group of fine musicians who make up OFUNAM. One of the most significant and exciting projects initiated by the National University of Mexico, over 100 wonderful musicians took command of the venue and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome them to Surrey as part of their UK tour.
Further dates:
July 8th Basingstoke, The Anvil
July 9th London, Cadogan Hall
www.ofunam.unam.mx
