Dominican musician excels during symphony concert directed by Zimmerman

Dominican musician excels during symphony concert directed by Zimmerman
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, October 11, 2012

The National Symphony Orchestra offered a concert this past Wednesday, during which hundreds of amazed spectators gathered at the Santo DomingoNational Theater.

At the close of the symphony concert, the following pieces were interpreted: From Dawn till Noon on the Sea; The Play of the Waves; and Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea, prompting a standing ovation by the audience.

The orchestrahad as its guest conductor American maestro Christopher Zimmerman, and the soloist performer wasDominican percussionist Juan Carlos Ureña González.

The musical pieces that were interpreted were: Prelude and Fugue for String Orchestra, byHéctorMartínezCabruja (1951); Concert for Marimba and Orchestra by Ney Rosaura; I. Saudação (Good Day); II. Lamento (Lament); III.Dança (Dance) IV. Despedida (Farewell); La Mer (three symphonic sketches) by Claude Debussy.

At the close of the symphony concert, the following pieces were interpreted: From Dawn till Noon on the Sea; The Play of the Waves; and Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea, prompting a standing ovation by the audience.

The orchestra, under Zimmerman’s direction, had as an invited guest young percussionist Juan Carlos Ureña González, who marveled the audience with hisperformance at the marimba.

At the end of the concert, Rodríguez said he was amazed and, especially, due to the professionalism of young musician Juan Carlos Ureña, who, at only 20 years old, handled the marimbawith great mastery. “This shows that there is great hope for the new generation of Dominican musicians.”

Maestro Molina, meanwhile, said that he felt moved by the interpretation of the musical piece La Mer (The Sea), which,for about 35 years,had not been played in the country. He considered that the National Symphony Orchestra demonstrated virtuosity during the concert.

“The orchestra played so exceptionallya piecethat is so difficultthat it seemed easy in their hands. Moreover, Juan Carlos Ureña’s participationrepresents an unprecedented debut performance,” according to Maestro Molina.

During the incredibleconcert, the standing ovation and the effusive applause from the audiencewere the expressions of enjoyment towards the musicians and the young percussionist, who managed to impress all those in attendance.

The guest conductor for the evening, Christopher Zimmerman, graduated from Yale University with a BA in music, and received his MBA from the University of Michigan. He also studied under Seiji Ozawa and Gunther Schuller at Tanglewood.

Zimmerman, a champion of contemporary music, has led more than 25 debut performances and has conducted leading orchestras throughout the world.

Juan Carlos Ureña González is a second year (third quarter) classical percussionist student at the National Conservatory of Music.

Maestro Christopher Zimmerman, leading the orchestra.

Young percussionist, Juan Carlos Ureña González.