New Year’s concert of the Czech Philharmonic

ABOUT THE CONCERT

“This cold New Year’s Eve I invite you to accompany me on a journey to Spain,” says the Spanish conductor Juanjo Mena. “Joining us on this journey are two exceptional soloists: we welcome the global ambassador of Spanish guitar Pablo Sáinz Villegas and the versatile mezzo-soprano Clara Mouriz.”

Pablo Sáinz Villegas will play Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, possibly the most famous guitar concerto and one of the most original masterpieces of the twentieth century, thanks to the extraordinary beauty of its central Adagio. Clara Mouriz will add a touch of authenticity to the music from Manuela de Falla ballet The Three Cornered Hat, with its sensuous orchestration and unmistakeable Spanish dance rhythms. The pace slows down somewhat for a selection of Montsalvatge’s sumptuous Canciones Negras, for which Clara Mouriz’s voice is so perfectly suited. “Instead of New Years’ fireworks, you will be dazzled by the earthy energy of Turina’s Danzas Fantásticas. I look forward to celebrating the New Year at the Rudolfinum with you and with the wonderful Czech Philharmonic!” adds Juanjo Mena.

PROGRAM

Manuel de Falla
Interlude and Dance from the opera
La vida breve

Manuel de Falla
“Vivan los que rien, mueran los que lloran”, Salud’s aria from the opera La vida breve

Joaquín Rodrigo
Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra

Joaquín Turina
Danzas fantásticas for orchestra, Op. 22

Xavier Montsalvatge
Cinco canciones negras (selections)

Manuel de Falla
The Three-Cornered Hat, music from the ballet

PERFORMERS

Pablo-Sáinz Villegas guitar
Clara Mouriz mezzo-soprano

Juanjo Mena conductor

Czech Philharmonic