“On Saturday, historia will be made when the Abilene Philharmonic joins with Ballet Folklorico del Big Country: Alma de Nuestras Raices (‘soul of our roots’) as part of its ‘Dia de los Muertos’ concert,” writes Greg Jaklewicz in Tuesday’s (10/23) Abilene Reporter-News (Texas). “Not only is it the first collaboration between these two organizations—this folklorico group is just a few years old—but believed to be the first between the orchestra and a non-musical group in a concert setting…. The piece [featuring the dancers] is ‘Huapango’ by Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo, and its stories in song represent seven of the 31 Mexican states…. The piece is one of several that will fit the concert theme. While Halloween is a one-day event, Dia de los Muertas, or the ‘Day of the Dead,’ is a Mexican holiday that begins on Oct. 31 and goes through Nov. 2…. The concert also features the work of Carlos Chavez, Maurice Ravel (who was French but his ‘Bolero’ and other pieces are based on Spanish rhythms and instrumentation), Arturo Márquez and Manuel de Falla…. [Abilene Philharmonic] Executive Director Kevin Smith was instrumental in reaching out to the folklorico group to arrange a combined performance.”
Posted October 29, 2018
