Josep Pons Leads Orquesta Nacional de España in Mozart and Strauss Program

The Orquesta Nacional de España (ONE) is set to explore the theatrical world of 17th-century playwright Molière in a series of upcoming performances. Maestro Josep Pons will lead the ensemble at the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid.

The concert schedule includes performances on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, at 19:30, as well as a final presentation on Sunday, May 31, at 11:30.

A Musical Journey Through Molière

The programme opens with Lully’s “March for the Turkish Ceremony,” composed for the satire Le Bourgeois gentilhomme. This piece reflects the courtly humor and oriental exoticism surrounding the character of Monsieur Jourdain.

Following this, the ensemble will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3, written in 1775. This work is noted for its formal clarity and lyrical elegance, incorporating the “Turkish style” prevalent in Vienna during that era.

Did You Know? Richard Strauss and his librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal shifted the setting of Le Bourgeois gentilhomme from Paris to Vienna, though the work remains a tribute to the French grand siècle.

The second half of the programme is dedicated to the suite from Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Richard Strauss. Extracted in 1920 from incidental music, the score uses a reduced orchestra to recreate courtly spirit with modern irony and timbral refinement.

Distinguished Leadership and Artistry

German violinist Valerie Steenken, who has served as the concertino of the ONE since 2021, will appear as the soloist for the Mozart concerto. Steenken is a frequent collaborator with several prominent European orchestras.

Josep Pons. Video apoyo Orquesta Nacional de España

Josep Pons returns to lead the ONE after his recent direction of Brahms’ A German Requiem in January. During his nine-year tenure as titular and artistic director, Pons is credited with renewing the ensemble’s artistic profile and increasing its European presence.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by pairing Lully and Strauss, the programme highlights the evolving relationship between music and stage. The contrast between Lully’s courtly origins and Strauss’s modern irony underscores how theatrical music can serve as a bridge between different historical sensibilities.

The Significance of the programme

According to programme notes by Alberto González Lapuente, the Strauss score recovers the essence of the French comédie-ballet. This represents achieved through descriptive humor and the “weightlessness of dance movements.”

The selection of works allows the ONE to examine the intersection of music and scene, from the court of Louis XIV to the ambitious projects of Strauss and Hofmannsthal.

Given Josep Pons’ current roles as honorary director of the ONE and musical director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, these performances could further solidify the artistic bond between the conductor and the institution. Future collaborations may likely continue to focus on blending historical tributes with modern precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where will the concerts take place? The performances will be held at the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid on May 29 and 30 at 19:30, and May 31 at 11:30.
Who is the featured soloist for the Mozart concerto? The soloist is German violinist Valerie Steenken, the concertino of the ONE.
What is the connection between the works by Lully and Strauss? Both composers created music for Molière’s Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, exploring the play’s courtly themes from different historical perspectives.

How do you think the shift in setting from Paris to Vienna affects the interpretation of a French classic like Molière?