New Year - Kings Concert

Last week's concert by the Orquesta Sinfónica de Torrevieja was a joyful and spirited occasion. The printed program, as opposed to the tickets, dubbed it "Concierto Año Nuevo - Reyes" but, in English, just "New Year's Concert." The program was reminiscent of what to the English and presumably German-speaking population is a traditional New Year's concert, similar to the one shown on PBS by the Vienna Philharmonic on New Year's Day, though this orchestra has been playing together for far less time--just four years. Here is what we heard:

Programa

I Parte

La Revoltosa (Preludio) ....... R. Chapi

Marcha Española Op. 433 ....... J. Strauss

Danza Hungaras No. 5 ....... J. Brahms

Pizzicato Polka ....... Johan y Josef Strauss

Marcha Persa Op. 289 ....... J. Strauss

Vals de la Bella Durmiente ....... P. I. Tchaikovsky

Tik-Tak, Polka Op. 365 ....... J. Strauss

Auf der Jagd Op. 373 ....... J. Strauss

II Parte

La Dolores (Jota) ....... T. Bretón (Solista: Francisco Moreno)

Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka Op. 214 ....... J. Strauss

Vals del Emperador Op. 437 ....... J. Strauss

Champagner Galop Op. 14 ....... H. C. Lumbye

Vals del Danubio Azul Op. 314 ....... J. Strauss

Plus three encore pieces, whose names I don't know but whose melodies were just as recognizable as most of those above.

The new auditorium at the International Conservatory of Music in Torrevieja is elegant and seemed to provide excellent seating for almost all of the 1400 attendees, though there was a mad scramble to find seats in the three-level facility, since ushers were non-existent and signage was minimal. The orchestra, which was just loaning the facility, was so good that the next day we accepted their invitation to become sponsors, paid our money, and thus will be notified ahead of time of upcoming concerts and special functions. Since we had made our way innocently, while exploring the building, into the champagne reception for members only during the intermission, it was the least we could do. The next concert is scheduled for March, Mozart's Requiem.