The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up for its trip to Mexico City this weekend, where they are set to perform Sunday in the hallowed Palacio de Bellas Artes with Russian piano soloist Alexei Volodin and OFJ Director Marco Parisotto conducting. The program, entitled “Russian Brilliance,” is one of the gems designed by Parisotto to celebrate 100 years of orchestral tradition in Jalisco. This will be the same music that was performed last weekend, July 3 and 5, featuring two Prokofiev piano concertos and the musical portion of Stravinsky’s ballet “Petrushka.”
Just before the orchestra leaves, however, Volodin will have a recital at the Teatro Degollado Friday, July 10, 8:30 p.m., playing well known “fantasies” by Beethoven, Scriabin, Chopin, Mozart and Schumann. Tickets are from 110 to 200 pesos.
Next weekend, July 17 and 19, the orchestra plays the final program of the season — the same one they are set to perform in South Korea later this year and, thus, another of the jewels crafted by Parisotto to show off the group for the anniversary. The program, entitled “Rhythms of Mexico and Spain,” consists of works by Fuentes, Vargas, Briseño, Guizar and Marquez, capped by the piece “Iberia” by Isaac Albeniz and — the only work in the program without a Spanish flavor — Rachmaninoff’s popular “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, opus 18,” a piece that was first performed by the composer in 1901 and that established him as a composer of concertos.
The soloist for the piece will be Montreal pianist Wonny Song, accompanied by the OFJ directed by Parisotto. The concerto has been featured in many films and parts have been called “agitated,” “ecstatic” and “triumphant.”
Tickets available at Ticketmaster, (33) 3818-3800, www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Degollado Theater box office, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, tel. (33) 3614-4773.
The Degollado Theater is in Guadalajara’s city center two blocks behind the main cathedral. There’s a 30-percent discount available only at box office for students, teachers, seniors (with valid ID) and persons with disabilities. General practice is open to the public every Friday of the season at 9 a.m. in the Degollado Theater. Access to theater is open to children ages 6 and over.
Orchestra information: (33) 3030-9772 weekdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Orchestra website: http://en.ofj.com.mx.