Legendary Bamberg Symphony, Sol Gabetta Debut at FIMC

This year, the International Music Festival of the Canary Islands (FIMC) is showcasing German orchestras, and this week, one of the country's most legendary ensembles arrives. Gran Canaria and Tenerife welcome the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, performing with Czech conductor Jakub Hruša and the acclaimed cellist Sol Gabetta, who is making her FIMC debut.

Organized by the Government of the Canary Islands, these exceptional concerts can be enjoyed today, Wednesday, at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Gran Canaria, and on Thursday at the Tenerife Auditorium. Both performances, sponsored by Fundación DISA, begin at 7:30 PM, with an introductory talk held one hour before each start.

This lineup of soloist, conductor, and orchestra is one of the most impressive at this 42nd FIMC. Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta brings a brilliant career and widespread international recognition. Praised for her charisma and flawless technique, she has won major awards, such as the 2022 Culture Award and the Herbert von Karajan Award in 2018.

Gabetta will make her festival debut performing Edward Elgar's (1857-1934) Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, played on her valuable 1730 Venetian Matteo Goffriller cello. Audiences will experience her magnetic stage presence and ability to connect, which, combined with her technical brilliance, make her concerts an unforgettable experience.

Gabetta and Jakub Hruša, who will conduct her performance, are both from the same generation. Born in 1981 – Gabetta in Argentina and Hruša in former Czechoslovakia – they have both reached the top ranks of classical music at a relatively young age. Hruša, currently the principal conductor of the Bamberg Symphony, was also recently named music director of the Royal Opera House in London. This appointment recognizes his impressive career, during which he has brought new energy to the German orchestra's long-standing traditions.

Hruša's romantic and Central European style, which he showcased at a previous FIMC, is perfectly suited to the Bamberg Symphony, often called Germany's most 'Bohemian' orchestra. Founded in 1946 by former members of the Prague Philharmonic who had sought refuge in the Bavarian city, the orchestra has maintained its unique sound over the years, becoming a preserver of Czech music outside of Prague.

Continuing a tradition from previous festivals with other renowned artists, the FIMC has arranged for Sol Gabetta to meet with students from the Canary Islands Superior Conservatory of Music. This event will take place this Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Gran Canaria venue, just hours before her performance for the Canarian audience at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium.

Given that the Bamberg ensemble and Jakub Hruša are champions of Bohemian sound, it's fitting that their FIMC program starts with the lively spirit of Czech comic opera. The concert will open with the Overture to 'The Two Widows' by Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884), often called the father of Czech music.

This piece is Smetana's only known salon opera and shows a strong influence of French vaudeville. He wrote it just months before losing his hearing, which affected him for the rest of his life. The work itself is full of joy and vibrant energy.

Next, Sol Gabetta will take the stage to perform Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. This emotional piece was inspired by the aftermath of the Great War. Its strong expressiveness perfectly suits the talent and personality of the Argentine cellist. This will be a chance to experience her unique artistry, particularly in the concerto's most emotional and famous sections.

The concert will conclude with Antonín Dvorák's (1841-1904) Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 B.141, known for its dramatic depth. It's believed Dvorák wrote it hoping it would rank among the great works of Johannes Brahms or Ludwig van Beethoven. While his 'New World Symphony' is still his most popular, many experts actually consider this Seventh Symphony to be his finest work.

Tickets for both concerts are available on the official FIMC website, festivaldecanarias.com, and at the box offices of the capital's auditoriums.