The Princeton Symphony Orchestra spotlights the Spanish composer Óscar Navarro’s II Concerto for Clarinet and Symphonic Orchestra at its Classical Series Concert La Noche Española on Jan. 19, at 4 p.m, at Richardson Auditorium. The concerto will be performed by the virtuoso clarinetist Jose Franch-Ballester to whom it was dedicated. Other Spanish-inspired pieces by Ravel, Chabrier, and Debussy will be performed by the PSO under the direction of its Music Director Rossen Milanov.
In 2012, Milanov conducted the world premiere of Navarro’s concerto with the Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias in Spain where he is Principal Conductor. Recalling the richness of the work, Milanov explained his decision to bring the concerto to Princeton: “To share my own love for the music of Spain, I wanted to give the Princeton audience something fresh, yet distinctly Spanish to consider.” Óscar Navarro writes both concert music and film scores, and has established himself as one of Spain’s most promising young composers. His concerto for clarinet celebrates his Spanish roots, and was commissioned by The Valencia Music Institute. It is a single movement with three distinct parts, the second of which is influenced by flamenco music, complete with clapping by members of the brass section.
In advance of the concert, Navarro will speak with clarinetist Franch-Ballester about the influences of his native culture upon his creativity at the Jan. 18 PSO Behind the Music discussion at 4:30 p.m. at the Arts Council of Princeton. The talk is free and open to the public.
The Jan. 19 concert’s La Noche Española program includes additional works evoking the sounds of Spain. Ravel’s mother was of Basque descent and grew up in Madrid.
His Rapsodie espagñole includes a movement said to be based on a song his mother taught him. In España, Chabrier recreates the music of the flamenco dances and Spanish folk songs he heard while vacationing there, while Debussy’s Ibéria captures the idealized essence of a popular notion of Spanish style and rhythm using tambourines and castanets. Tickets are available for purchase at princetonsymphony.org or by phone: (609) 497-0020. Ticket prices are: $75, $60, $48, $30 and $25 (students 17 and under).