Spanish Rhapsody — Ravel, Bernstein, Villa-Lobos | Tzigane | Choir and Symphony Orchestra

Performers: Eugene Tzigane — conductor

Jarosław Wolanin — choir preparation

Silesian Philharmonic Choir

Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Program: Maurice Ravel — Spanish Rhapsody

Leonard Bernstein — Symphonic Dances

Arturo Márquez — Danzón no. 2

Heitor Villa-Lobos — Choros 10

Heitor Villa-Lobos — Mandu-Charara

Spanish rhythms, Latin American energy and dance element will become the theme of the concert inspired by the music of the South. From the colorful subtlety of Maurice Ravel's Spanish Rhapsody, to Leonardo Bernstein's famous Symphonic Dances and Arturo Márquez's temperamental Danzón no. 2, to the monumental choral visions of Heitor Villi-Lobos, the concert program will combine European and Latin American traditions in music full of rhythm, expression and sound of wealth. The concert will be conducted by the winner of many prestigious competitions, winner of the golden baton of the 8th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition, Eugene Tzigane.

Maurice Ravel's Spanish Rhapsody is one of the most sensual and masterfully instrumented works of the early 20th century. The composer, although he himself never lived in Spain, created music oversaturated with the atmosphere of the Iberian night, dance rhythms and subtle sound nuances. Ravel's orchestral imagination plays a special role here — full of soft colours, shimmering textures and rhythmic elegance.

Leonard Bernstein's symphonic dances take listeners into the world of the musical West Side Story. The composer combined jazz, Latin music and classical symphony to create a work full of violent contrasts, energy and characteristic rhythms inspired by South American dances. In addition to the lyrical passages, explosive drum parts, sharp mambo rhythms and dramatic climaxes appear here.

One of the most recognizable contemporary Latin American works remains Danzón no. 2 by Arturo Márquez. The composer was inspired by the traditional Cuban danzón dance, also extremely popular in Mexico. The piece impresses with its gradually increasing energy, dance pulse and spectacular orchestration, thanks to which it has become a real hit on world concert stages.

The program will be completed by two works by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villi-Lobos. The monumental Choros no. 10 combines an elaborate orchestra and choir with inspirations from Brazilian folklore and street music of Rio de Janeiro. Mandu-Çarará, on the other hand, was created as a musical story inspired by the culture of the indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon. Villa-Lobos created an extremely original musical language in both works, combining European symphony with South American rhythms, melodies and sounds.

CONCERT INFORMANT