Te Deum was composed by Lorenzo Ondarra in 1998 to commemorate the 1st Centenary of the Restoration of the Capuchin Province of Navarre, Cantabria and Aragón. The piece closed the 18th edition of the Basque music festival Musikaste de Rentería (Guipúzcoa). The score focuses on Gregorian melodies, which gives the music a modal character. But it also offers brilliant orchestration owing to the presence of wind instruments, representing a clear example of the composer’s artistic qualities. Moreover, the composer's music earned him several awards, such as the National Prize for Fine Arts in 1969, the award of the Association of Txistularis of Euskal Herria, and the Gold Medal of the Navarre Choirs Federation, both awarded in 2011.
21 to 25 September 2020.
Orfeón Pamplonés
The Orfeón Pamplonés traces back to 1865, the year in which the institution was created, chaired by Conrado García and directed by Joaquín Maya. This first group ceased its activities in 1873. In 1881, the Ateneo Orfeón Pamplonés was founded, lasting until 1885. Finally, the definitive Orfeón was established on August 28, 1890, led by Fidel Maya, who would leave office in 1891, being replaced by Remigio Múgica. Great music personalities of Navarre have taken their turn directing the Orfeón Pamplonés, such as Martín Lipúzcoa, Juan Eraso, Pedro Pirfano, José Antonio Huarte, Juan Carlos Múgica, Koldo Pastor, Pascual Aldave and Alfonso Huarte. The current director is Igor Ijurra.
Throughout the preceding decades it has significantly developed its activity in the performance of not only the choral symphonic repertoire, where it stands out, but also the stage and a cappella repertoire. Its relevance in Navarrese cultural life makes it a must for events of special artistic, social and institutional importance. But this institution’s relevance is not limited to the Autonomous Community. In the last decade, it has become active internationally, occupying the great stages of countries such as Mexico, the United States, England, France and Russia, as well as participating in some of the most renowned international symphonic festivals such as PROMS or the White Nights of St. Petersburg.
Among the awards it has received are the Prince of Viana Award, the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts and the Gold Medals of Navarre and Pamplona.
Igor Ijurra Fernández
Director
He possesses a graduate degree in Choir Conducting from Musikene, a degree in Singing and Solfège from the Sarasate Conservatory and a Law degree from the University of Navarre. Igor has additionally developed his skills as a musician with prestigious choir and orchestra conductors such as Juanjo Mena, Philip Ledger, Johan Duijck, Javi Busto, Gary Graden, Peter Erdey, Laszlo Heltay, Gabriel Baltes, Donato Renzetti, Massimiliano Caldi, Kenneth Kiesler, Manuel Hernández Silva and Yaron Traub.
The current director of the Orfeón Pamplonés, he has worked on the great choral symphonic repertoire, as well as operas by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and La vida breve by Falla, introducing around 30 new works into his repertoire. He has participated, as choir and orchestra conductor, with other groups such as the National Choir, the RTVE Choir, the Community of Madrid Choir, the Pamplona Chamber Choir, the Navarre Symphony Orchestra and the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra. He teaches conducting courses, musical workshops and conferences. He also occasionally serves as a jury member at choir and composition competitions.
Ijurra's interest in the works of Basque-Navarrese authors has inspired him to direct and premiere several works of such nature. He is also a populariser of the work of composer Lorenzo Ondarra (1931-2012).
In 2014, he was awarded the Diapasón de Oro by the Spanish Confederation of Choir Associations (COACE). Since November 2016, he has been a young corresponding member at Jakiunde, the Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Navarre, Euskadi and Aquitaine.
Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra
The current Navarre Symphony Orchestra was founded by Mr. Pablo Sarasate in 1879, which makes it the oldest active orchestral group in Spain. At present, it is part of the Baluarte Foundation, an institution financed mainly by the Government of Navarre. As such, it is the official orchestra of the Autonomous Community. In its almost one hundred and forty years of existence, the Pablo Sarasate Symphony Orchestra has performed in the main auditoriums, opera seasons and festivals, both in Spain and abroad. On several occasions its performances have proven to be particularly relevant at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, as well as other important European auditoriums in the concert tour organised by the Universal Music label. As the preferred orchestra of composer and violinist Pablo Sarasate, its recording of the entire work of this Navarrese composer for Naxos, with violinist Tianwa Yang, has been unanimously praised by international critics. Also with this label, the Navarre Symphony Orchestra undertook a recording project with the Polish conductor Antoni Wit, the principal conductor until the 2017-2018 season. The Navarre Symphony Orchestra presents an annual season of concerts to the public of Navarre in the cities of Pamplona and Tudela, in the Baluarte Auditorium and in the Gaztambide Theater, respectively. It also organises significant social and educational activities throughout the Autonomous Community. Manuel Hernández Silva is its Principal and Artistic Director, a position he assumed in the 2018-2019 season.
Manuel Hernández-Silva
Director
He graduated with honours from the Vienna Higher Conservatory, under professors Reinchard Schwarz and Georg Mark. In his graduation year, he won the Forum Jünger Künstler conducting competition organised by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, conducting this group at the Konzerthaus in Austria’s capital and at the Brucknerhaus in the city of Linz.
He has been the principal conductor of the Córdoba Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Caracas, and musical director of the Andalucía Youth Orchestra. He is currently the principal and artistic director of the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra and the Navarre Symphony Orchestra.
Maestro Hernández Silva also dedicates himself intensely to teaching, giving international courses in conducting and performance, as well as numerous conferences.
He has also been a guest conductor with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Radio, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic (Korea), the Nord Czech Philharmonic (Czech Republic), the Karlsbad Symphony (Czech Republic), the Olomouc Philharmonic (Czech Republic), the Rheinische Philharmonie, the BIel Symphony Orchestra, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Chilean National Orchestra, the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, the Bogota Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Caracas Symphony Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (Venezuela), the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra (Germany) and the Janacek Philharmonic (Czech Republic). Across the nation, he is a regular guest of practically all Spanish orchestras.
Te Deum para orquesta y coro
15/03/2021
