Artists:

• Joanna Motulewicz – mezzosoprano
• Ludwig Carrasco – conductor
• The Łódź Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Program:

• Manuel María Ponce  – “Ferial” [16']
• Ricardo Castro – Intermezzo from the opera “Atzimba” [5']
• Mariana Villanueva – “Ritual” [10']

BREAK

• Manuel de Falla – „El amor brujo” Suite [25']

Compere: Michał Marchlewski

The culture of Mexico is a unique mix of elements of pre-Columbian civilizations and the influence of colonial Spain, which merge into an exotic, colourful and fascinating result. Within the program of the concert, those European influences are represented by the works of Manuel de Falla; the piece entitled “El amor brujo” known as “Love, the sorcerer” was initially created as music for a ballet. It combines the features of impressionism, which de Falla “contracted” in Paris with the folk tradition of Andalusia. The development of the institution of Mexican musical culture was helped by Ricardo Castro – one of the most accomplished composers from this country at the turn of the XXth century. An important part of his acumen is constituted by operas such as the “Atzimba”, composed in the style of late romanticism. We will hear the intermezzo from this very opera. Manuel María Ponce was another neoromantic Mexican composer. His “Ferial” is a kind of symphony divertimento that musically portrays the impressions from a fair in a small town near Teotihuacán. Maria Villanueva (born in 1964) represents the music of the XXth century. Her works are also inspired by folk culture: “Ritual” is inspired by the last dance of the Yaqui shamans performed just before their death, which was described by the writer Carlos Castaneda.

At 6:15 PM we invite you to the Henryk Czyż Chamber Hall for a pre-concert meeting led by Michał Marchlewski.

Listen to the concert playlist:

top photo: Joanna Motulewicz, phot. Karpati&Zarewicz