The Torrelavega Society for Culture, Recreation and Sports, on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the birth of César Manrique Cabrera, celebrated a 'Symphonic Concert' in his honor last Thursday night by the professors and students of the Insular Center of Musical Education of Lanzarote (CIEM), directed by Professor Iván Curbelo.
The event began with the Brass Band performing 'Olympic Fanfare' by Johh. Williams and, subsequently, the head of the Pedagogical department of the César Manrique Foundation, Alfredo Díaz, gave a biographical introduction about the life and work of César Manrique, an artist who is currently increasingly present with the demonstrations that have taken place due to the massification we are experiencing in Lanzarote.
Alfredo concluded his speech by reading one of the many messages left by César Manrique. "We, those born in Lanzarote, those who know your magic, your wisdom, your important volcanology, your revolutionary aesthetics; those of us who have fought to save you from your subjected historical oblivion and the poverty you always had, today we begin to tremble with fear when observing how they destroy and massify you... we realize the impotence of our denunciations and cries for help in the face of the hysterical greed of speculators and the lack of decision of the authorities that allow and sometimes encourage the irreversible destruction of an island that could be one of the most prestigious and beautiful on this planet."
The public, which filled the permitted capacity, broke the silence with a loud and prolonged applause at the end of Alfredo Díaz's speech. The concert continued with the performance of the 'Flute Quartet', directed by Professor Antonio Roble, performing El Moldava by Bedrich Smetana. Next, the 20 members of the 'String Orchestra' took the stage, directed by Professor Chema Alfaro, in which they performed several works such as 'Howl's Moving Castle', 'Farandula', 'Water Lily' from The best of Abba and ending with a composition by Louis Armstrong and César's favorite song 'What A Wonderful World'.
The concert ended with the performance of the 'Brass Band', directed by Professor Iván Curbelo, in which they performed three pieces, 'Malagueña', 'Superan' and 'Cumbachero'. During the end of the concert, each and every one of the performances were greatly applauded by the audience. The director of the Torrelavega Society, Alfonso Duro Cabezón, presented a commemorative plaque to the director Iván Curbelo, as a sign of gratitude for his collaboration for the magnificent concert in honor of César Manrique. The president of the César Manrique Foundation, José Juan Ramírez, and the businessman Mamerto Medina were also present at the event, both always supporting cultural and sports events. At the end of the event and on behalf of the Society he chairs, Toñin Ramos, thanked them for their presence and collaboration.
