Gianna Fratta: "My identity, at this moment, is that of an orchestra conductor"

PalmaGianna Fratta will be in charge of conducting on November 5th and 6th, at the Auditorium in Palma and the Auditorium in Manacor, the second concert of the season of the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra. A pianist, conductor, and law graduate, she will lead the orchestra with a program with a Spanish accent, which will begin with the Concierto de Aranjuez, by Joaquín Rodrigo, with José María Gallardo del Rey as soloist. Next, a piece by Gallardo del Rey himself, Diamantes para Aranjuez. In the second part, by Maurice Ravel, they will perform Alborada del gracioso, with clear Hispanic reminiscences. To conclude, a selection from the Suite española, by Isaac Albéniz

As she recalls: I had the pleasure of conducting this orchestra for the first time about three years ago. On that occasion, I conducted Stravinsky's Petrushka and Prokofiev's third piano concerto with Alba Ventura. It was a great concert, of which I have fond memories.

What has led you to accept the invitation to conduct it for a second time?

— It is an orchestra of high quality with which I have established a good relationship. Therefore, I have accepted with great pleasure the invitation of Maestro Pablo Mielgo, especially when he invited me to return here this week. When an artistic director invites a conductor for a second time, it means that they have appreciated their work.

Have you conducted Spanish music on other occasions?

— Yes, many times. Spanish music is performed regularly in the programs of all the great orchestras of the world and I really like composers like De Falla, Rodrigo, Albeniz, Turina, Granados or Sarasate, to name just a few. Thus, I have studied a lot of Spanish music and have conducted it often.

What do you think of the Concierto de Aranjuez?

— I think it is a masterpiece for guitar and orchestra, perhaps the most representative concerto for this instrument with the orchestra. The themes of this concerto, especially the second movement, have entered the collective imagination and are recognized by everyone. Melodies of great power and suggestion. It is a concerto that I like a lot and that I have conducted many times.

Are there affinities between the music of Ravel and that of Albéniz?

— Ravel loved and represented Spain and its traditions on many occasions in the music he wrote (Rapsodie espagnole, L'heure espagnole, Alborada del gracioso, etc.). He was also a great admirer of Albeniz's Suite Iberia, which he considered a true masterpiece. Surely the two composers are united by their common charm for Hispanism, also because Ravel was born in the Basque Country, a few kilometers from the Spanish border, to a mother of Spanish Basque origin. This proximity led him to assimilate the rhythms and to love the sonorities of the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, I believe that Albeniz has influenced Ravel's writing in many cases.

Is this experience a challenge in your professional career?

— All concerts are a challenge. We have a new soloist in front of us, in this case Gallardo del Rey, they face new songs, such as Diamantes para Aranjuez by the same guitarist. It is certainly a challenge, as always, when facing the novelty.

Do you consider that every musical genre requires a specific approach or a different conducting technique?

— Yes, yes. Each genre requires a different approach and deep knowledge. Regarding technique, I don't think so. The director's technique is the same. Technique is a series of instruments that the director has to express a rhythm, a sound, an idea. And these tools are at the service of all genres.

Do you feel more comfortable conducting a symphonic piece or an operatic work?

— I accompany both genders and I cannot choose. I am comfortable in any case.

We will never see her play the piano in Mallorca, perhaps performing Chopin?

— I don't think so. I have been dedicated to conducting for years, and on the piano, I mainly play chamber repertoire or some pieces with orchestra in which I both play and conduct, such as Beethoven's Triple Concerto. My identity, at this moment, is that of an orchestra conductor, and I do not want to be distracted from that.