After directing the last concert of the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, which was attended by the soloist in guitar Emmanuel Sowicz, the British director Andrew Gourlay returns to take the baton of this cast in a varied program that invites a sound trip from Chile to Europe.
The repertoire includes the Symphonic overture of the Chilean composer Carlos Riesco – one hundred years after his birth – the Symphony No. 31 “Paris” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the famous Enigma variations by Sir Edward Elgar.
“This program seems to have merged naturally: the classic Riesco lightness connects with the Parisian air of Mozart, and both dialogue with the texture and emotionality of Elgar,” says Master Gourlay.
He adds that “we start our program with a piece that has not been heard in a long time. It is fascinating to dig up something of the past and try to find a new meaning. We all believe it is quite promising,” he says.
National Musical Arts Award 2000, Carlos Riesco (1925-2007) composed his Symphonic overture In 1948, while being perfected in the United States.
Dedicated to his teacher David Diamond, the work was released that same year at the First Chilean Music Festival, with the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, then directed by the teacher Víctor Tevah, a figure of great relevance within the musical history of the country.
The neoclassical style of this composer is characterized by its interest in exploring new harmonic and timbric possibilities, maintaining links with tone and melody.
After that, the Symphony N.O Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, written in 1778, when the composer was only 22 years old. The work marked Mozart’s debut in the French capital and is distinguished by his broad and brilliant orchestration, being the first of his symphonies to include clarinets.
Although innovative, it retains early classicism features and opts for the structure of three movements: fast-este-fast. Regarding this work, Gourlay indicates that “there are many classic and sharp air fragments and lines that I think people associate with Mozart. This kind of fanfare and Parisian air that we have in the symphony is accompanied by a beautiful writing of strings with texture,” he says.
The program will culminate with the famous Enigma variationsby Edvard Elgar. In them, the composer portrayed with humor and tenderness thirteen from his closest friends, as well as himself. The contrasts and nuances of these pieces, released in 1899, enshrined it as a figure of British music.
“For me, who grew up in England working with the Halle orchestra, Elgar is in my blood. It is a privilege to direct it here, in this new room with a magnificent acoustics,” says Gourlay.
After this concert, the National Symphony of Chile will present on Friday 10 and Saturday, October 11, thanks to an alliance between the Artistic and Cultural Extension Center of the University of Chile, CEAC, and the Foundation of Youth and Children’s Orchestras, FOJI. Thus, the cast will share the stage with the Metropolitan Student Symphony Orchestra, OSEM, in addition to some young musicians from different regions, in a program that will feature the baton of teacher Alejandra Urrutia.
Tickets for all concerts of the 2025 season are available in Ceacuchile.Tichtplus.cl and in the tickets of the Great National Symphony Room (Av. Vicuña Mackenna 20) and of the University of Chile Theater (Av. Providencia 43, exit Metro Baquedano. Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). More information at Ceacuchile.cl.
Sign up in the Newsletter Gulp of the counterAdm our community to tell you the most interesting of the world of culture, science and technology.