Noticias
The Toltec Symphony will premiere in our country
"Mexico and its great culture have enriched my music for 25 years": Philip Glass
May 10, 2018The great musician born in Baltimore, United States, Philip Glass, considered one of the gurus of new music in the world, will be honored in Mexico on May 11, 12 and 13 with three concerts in the Palace of Fine Arts, which will feature the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Reisman, the Latin American Quartet and complemented with a reading by actor Diego Luna.
In a press conference, the famous composer was accompanied by Lidia Camacho, director of INBA, as well as members of the Latin American Quartet, soprano Olivia Gorra and conductor Michael Reisman.
The musician celebrated the premiere of the Toltec Symphony in Mexico, first performed at the Kennedy Center in 2005 and commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra of the United States to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Leonard Slatkin.
Philip Glass said that the program to be presented reflects the interest Mexico has in culture, a mosaic full of richness to which he has been attached for many years and therefore this tribute is one of the greatest honors he has ever had.
He said that in his musical and spiritual research in several countries, our country has had a main place for 25 years, a time in which he had time to celebrate what our past and traditions represent through pieces such as the aforementioned Toltec Symphony.
"I love the whole program of musicians and artists who will be present at this concert where music about Mexico and at the same time the talent of this country come together to offer a tour of those pieces that I have worked with love to pay tribute to it”.
He added that this offering to Mexico’s culture is due to the fact that there is a wealth that must be spread through the arts, and where he has found many musicians of great quality and friends who have opened the doors.
"I already knew the music played in the concert halls in Mexico. However, I wanted to know its soul, its traditional roots, that's why indigenous music has been a cornerstone in my approach to this wonderful nation”.
Lidia Camacho, general director of INBA, said that this tribute was made with the collaboration of the artistic director Carlos Miguel Prieto, who joined Glass' best friends, including maestro Michael Reisman, who will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra on May 11 and 13.
Lidia Camacho added that on May 12 there will also be a presentation with the participation of the Latin American Quartet, soprano Olivia Gorra, pianist James Demster and the attendance of actor Diego Luna in the reading of the text Wichita Vortex Sutra, with the percussions of Leonardo Heiblum and Jacobo Lieberman.
"It will undoubtedly be a very special program to celebrate the career of an international musician who is very much loved in Mexico and whose talent has spread our culture throughout the world”.
The performances will include, in addition to Symphony 7, Tolteca that will be premiered in our country, the most emblematic compositions of Glass such as Metamorphosis two, three and four, as well as Etude, a piece inspired by Kafka's text, and the String Quartet No. 5.
Soprano Olivia Gorra mentioned her excitement at participating in the performance of Songs from liquid days, as well as Changing opinion with lyrics by Paul Simon.
"For any singer it is a dream to participate in a tribute to this great musician who has given to the world one of the most important works, without a doubt it will also be an opportunity for young people to get to know him".
Finally, conductor Michael Reisman added that 80 years after Philip Glass’s birth this concert represents one of the most faithful tributes to his ideas, always in relation to the union between cultures.
"It will be a pleasure to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra and play its music. The great friendship that unites me to Philip makes these concerts join feelings, passion, but above all, a great love for Mexico”.
Mexico,Distrito Federal
