Names, surnames and 'memento mori'

The fifth concert of the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra's season was filled with some unusual names, from the composers to the soloist and the conductor. Regarding the latter two, it goes without saying that having Frank Peter Zimmermann as soloist is a true luxury and, of course, a privilege. Zimmermann also brought with him a Spanish premiere, the Violin Concerto, by Swiss composer Frank Martin. A piece based on The stormShakespeare's, with the character of Ariel as a permanent musical allusion, with a structure that is, at least, peculiar.Allegro tranquil-Andante molto moderato-Presto— and a whole series of references ranging from dodecaphony to jazz, which intertwine to form a homogeneous kaleidoscope that culminates spectacularly in the final movement. A demanding piece, in which both the orchestra and the soloist displayed both immense energy and masterful ensemble playing. The performance was rewarded: Zimmermann returned for two encores, one of them no less literary than the composition itself. The King of the Elves Schubert's work, inspired by a melancholic and fantastical poem by Goethe. This exercise in complicity between the protagonists also had a name: Pietari Inkinen, the prestigious Finnish conductor, whose resume boasts, among other achievements, conducting Wagner's Ring Cycle in Bayreuth in 2023, and who drew out the full potential of the orchestra. So much so, that the musicians gave him a warm and resounding ovation as he left the stage.

This was not the first piece of the evening. The prelude, perhaps unnecessary because the program was already quite packed, was by Maurice Ravel, with the five pieces from Ma mere Oye. An orchestral delicacy born from a simple piano composition, whose origin is known to almost everyone, which served to complete a survey of the different ways of understanding music among contemporaries of the 20th century.

On this occasion, and this is also unusual, the final segment of the program was the one that generated the most anticipation. And with good reason. Concerto for orchestra Sz 116, by Béla Bartók, It is a composition of exceptional characteristics, to the point that it would not be at all inaccurate or exaggerated to call it monumental. Bartók, knowing that his life had a very near expiration date, decided to review his existence. memento mori The music is also unusual, due to its palindromic structure and five movements. The second movement is undoubtedly the most outstanding, showcasing the skill of almost all the instruments in the ensemble. Giuoco delle coppie, They call it that, and that's the name of the movement. An intricate interplay where the instruments play in pairs, a fact that, once again, provides ample material for discussion and highlights the excellence of the various performers. The musicians of the Symphony, naturally, didn't miss the opportunity.