La Graciosa and Lanzarote host this weekend the first concerts programmed by the Government of the Canary Islands within the 35th Canary Islands Music Festival, both by the Quiroga Quartet, National Music Award 2018, which will be free to be held in religious spaces.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Isaac Castellano, described this year's Festival as the "of illusion, because it is yielding a magnificent result, both from critics and the public who are attending the concerts". He described the Festival as "the most important cultural event in the Canary Islands" and thanked the sponsors for having supported it again.
Jorge Perdigón, director of the International Music Festival of the Canary Islands, highlighted the success that the Quiroga Quartet is having, "which is filling the halls and selling out tickets in the performances they have had so far in La Gomera and La Palma."
On the night of this Saturday 19, they will be in the Iglesia del Carmen (La Graciosa) and tomorrow, Sunday 20, in the Iglesia de San Roque de Tinajo (Lanzarote). Both concerts will begin at 8:30 p.m.
These are the first two of a total of 6 that have been programmed between both islands within this year's edition, which also includes, in Lanzarote, other prominent formations: London Conchord Ensemble, which will perform at the Teatro de San Bartolomé next Wednesday the 22nd; the Orquesta de Cadaqués, which will be at the Auditorio de los Jameos del Agua on Friday, February 1st; and the Orquesta Barroca de Tenerife, which will star in a concert at the Convento de Santo Domingo de Teguise, on Sunday the 3rd. The closing will be on February 7 with the Minsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, at the Teatro El Salinero, in Arrecife.
This program has the collaboration of the Cabildo and the four municipalities, as well as the companies Binter Canarias, which contributes with the tour of Cuarteto Quiroga and London Conchord Ensemble; and with Fred Olsen, which also collaborates this year with the contest with the concert of the Minsk Chamber Orchestra. All concerts will be at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are available at www. entrees.es.
Quiroga Quartet: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20
The Quiroga Quartet is considered one of the most unique chamber ensembles of the new generation. The formation residing in the Royal Palace of Madrid will be in charge of the premiere of one of the commissioned works of the 35th Festival, that of the Tenerife composer Cecilia Díaz, with which she will open the program. They will continue with pieces by Haydn, Bartók, Arriaga and Ginastera.
It has been great news for the Festival that this string formation has been distinguished with the National Music Award 2018 in the interpretation category, for being one of the most unique chamber ensembles of the new generation and for its involvement in current music, in particular in Spanish music, according to the jury.
This group is also significant for its teaching work and its international projection, which has led it to be present in the main festivals and concert halls of Europe and America.
London Conchord Ensemble at the Teatro de San Bartolomé: January 22
The next event will be on January 22, by London Conchord Ensemble, another of the most prestigious chamber ensembles in Europe. Especially valued for their imaginative programs and their charismatic performances, which has led them to win numerous awards over the years, we can hear them at the Teatro de San Bartolomé. They bring a repertoire integrating works by Schubert, Jean Francaix and Beethoven.
Led by the Tenerife clarinetist Maxim Martín, this formation has its residence in Champs Hill, Sussex, where they have recorded many of their albums. The release of their double CD "From Vienna", their recording of Bach's concerts or the complete works of chamber music by Francis Poulenc has garnered unanimous acclaim from specialized critics.
Cadaqués Orchestra: Jameos del Agua: February 1
The next event will be in the month of February, specifically on Friday the 1st, with the Orquesta de Cadaqués in the Auditorio Jameos del Agua. Formed by many of the best Spanish musicians and with 30 years on stage, it returns to the festival together with the orchestra director Anu Tali to perform works by Toldrá i Soler, Beethoven and Mendelssohn. For the Beethoven concert they will have the maestro Joaquín Achúcarro, a legend of the piano, still active at 85 years old.
Tenerife Baroque Orchestra: Convent of Santo Domingo de Teguise: February 3
The 35th Music Festival will continue on Sunday the 3rd in the Convento de Santo Domingo de Teguise with the Orquesta Barroca de Tenerife. The young formation residing in the Adán Martín Auditorium was created a year ago with the aim of promoting among our young interpreters educated in Europe the styles and instruments of the time. They will make their first foray into the Canary Islands Music Festival with works from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Closing: Mink Orchestra at Teatro El Salinero: February 7
The Music Festival closes in Lanzarote on February 7 with the Minsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra at the Teatro El Salinero. Formed two years ago by solo musicians from the most important formations in the Belarusian capital, the public appearances of this orchestra create enormous expectation, so that they are currently presented as a regular formation in concert halls and festivals in Europe. In Lanzarote they will perform a repertoire that includes the second commissioned work of the festival, this time a piece by the Gran Canaria author Carlos González, as well as works by Britten, and Shostakovich.
