Tropical treasure trove of hits
Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra will once again celebrate the cultural bonds of language, heritage, and history shared by the countries of South and Central America and the island nations of the Caribbean during the “Latin American Music Night” concert at Mahidol University’s Prince Mahidol Hall, Salaya campus on Dec 18 at 7pm and Dec 19 at 4pm.
Organised in collaboration with members of the Latin American diplomatic community, the concert is quickly establishing itself as an annual audience favourite where music lovers will hear pieces that rarely appear on orchestral programmes but are engaging and alive with Latin rhythms and colours.
This time around long-time principal guest conductor Claude Villaret will lead the orchestra in a tropical treasure trove from eight countries — Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Panama.
Blending i nfluences from the Old and New Worlds, composers from Latin America have often found new expressive possibilities in the pulsating and ecstatic melodies of folk music.
The fusion of classical and native is central to the music of several composers on the programme, including Alberto Ginastera, Amadeo Roldan, Jorge Lopez Marin, Enrique Soro, Eduardo de Charpentier, and Lucho Bermudez.
Joining the orchestra for the first time as guest soloist will be Cuban violinist Roberto Valdes. He is well regarded as a renowned soloist and chamber musician in America and Europe, having performed the most important masterpieces of the classical and Latin American violin literature.
Currently, he is professor at the Universidad ed e Ave iro,andt he Es cola Pro fission al de Música de Espinho in Portugal and guest professor of Academia Latinoamericana de Violin in Caracas, Venezuela.
Tickets cost 300 and 500 baht (100 baht for students up to bachelor’s degree) and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major (visit www.thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3456) or by calling 02-849-6565 ext 6603 and 6609.