EDP, with the great symphonic concert of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the Santander International Festival
The Santander International Festival started its 66th edition last Saturday with the great symphonic concert of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of chief conductor Juanjo Mena, and alongside with Juan Pérez Floristán, who confirms his international projection with this date.
The concert was held in the Sala Argenta of the Festival Hall of Cantabria. The EDP Foundation sponsors this singular occasion “reassuring its commitment to one of the most relevant cultural events in Cantabria”, as well as to the Cantabrian region itself, which is one of the main competence areas.
On this first symphonic date, the overture “Egmont” by Beethoven and the “Fantastical Symphony” by Berlioz were played, and Sevillian pianist, winner of the International Paloma O’Shea Piano Contest in 2015, played “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Rachmaninov alongside with the British formation.
Juanjo Mena is one of the most renowned Spanish conductors on the international circuit and is currently principal conductor of the BBC Philharmonic. The English radio orchestra -one of the six of the BBC- is known for its versatility and exploration of innovative repertoires, and it performs more than one hundred concerts per year. Juan Pérez Floristán’s presence at the opening concert, who is loved and respected by Cantabrian people, assured the international consolidation of the pianist, winner of the First Award and Public Award at the Santander Paloma O’Shea Piano Contest and the First Award at the Berlin Steinway Contest (2015). He is already a reference among the new generations of European and Spanish musicians.
Pictures by: Javier Cotera
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