Tenerife Symphony Presents "Ode to Joy" with Díaz Premiere, Beethoven's Ninth

The Tenerife Symphony Orchestra is set to perform one of its most important concerts of the season this week. Titled "Ode to Joy," the program features a world premiere by Nino Díaz alongside Ludwig van Beethoven's famous Ninth Symphony, blending contemporary music with timeless classics. Pablo González will conduct both concerts, which take place this Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM in the Symphonic Hall of the Auditorio de Tenerife.

The concerts will feature soloists Eduardo Martín (tuba) and Paco Díaz (percussion), along with singers María Espada (soprano), Cristina Faus (contralto), Airam Hernández (tenor), and Sebastià Peris (baritone). They will be joined by the Tenerife Opera-Intermezzo Resident Choir, directed by Miguel Ángel Arqued.

The program brings together two distinct works from different styles and eras. The first is "fade-out #15," a double concerto for tuba, percussion, and orchestra by Canarian composer Nino Díaz. The second is Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (composed in 1824), a true masterpiece of symphonic music and a universal symbol of fraternity and hope.

Conductor Pablo González notes that both pieces share "a bold spirit and a deep trust in the transformative power of sound." He adds that "Ode to Joy" offers a journey "that celebrates creativity, emotion, and the inexhaustible power of music," which is especially fitting for a time of year often marked by gathering and celebration.

The first half of the concert features the world premiere of "fade-out #15." This work, commissioned by the Auditorio de Tenerife from Lanzarote-born composer Nino Díaz, is a double concerto where the soloists and orchestra interact, each maintaining their own distinct presence in a carefully balanced sound. Notably, this is the first time a piece in the subscription season will be performed twice.

González describes "fade-out #15" as "a daring, unpredictable creation, full of contrasts and dramatic tension." He highlights that its rhythmic richness and expressiveness are enhanced by the soloists, Eduardo Martín and Paco Díaz, both of whom are members of the Symphony Orchestra and deeply familiar with the composer's style.

The second half of the concert is dedicated to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This piece is more than just music; it's a powerful symbol of fraternity, freedom, and hope. Two centuries after its premiere, its emotional journey – from darkness to the joyous affirmation of the "Ode to Joy," based on Schiller's poem – "continues to speak to us with disarming relevance," according to González.

González describes it as "a journey that invites reflection and celebration." He highlights the crucial role of the vocal quartet and the Tenerife Opera-Intermezzo Resident Choir. Their participation, he says, strengthens the collaboration between the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the Auditorium, allowing the work to "achieve its full humanist power."

Tickets for Thursday's concert can be purchased at www.sinfonicadetenerife.es, by phone, or at the Auditorio de Tenerife box office between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Please note that tickets for Friday's performance are sold out.

Before the concert, attendees can enjoy an informative talk by Cristina Arnay from Atadem at 6:30 PM in Sala Avenida. There will also be a "Mirador musical," a chance to meet the guest artists, at 6:45 PM in Galería Castillo.

A free "Symphonic Shuttle" bus service is also available, connecting various points in the north and south of the Island with the Auditorio de Tenerife. Seats for this service can be reserved until 11:00 PM the day before each concert.