Presentation
Directed by Narcís Lagares and Josep Lagares - Besalú residents enamoured of our music- La Principal de la Bisbal, the official cobla orchestra of the Generalitat of Catalonia and holder of the Saint Jordi Cross, and the Orquestra de Cambra de l'Empordà (Empordà Chamber Orchestra), granted the National Music Award of Catalonia, have combined their work to create the new LA SIMFÒNICA DE COBLA I CORDA DE CATALUNYA (THE COBLA AND STRING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF CATALONIA), a brand new ensemble that combines the experience of the string instruments of the Orquestra de Cambra de l'Empordà and that replaces the wind instruments of the traditional symphony orchestras -oboes, flutes, clarinets, bassoons-for the highly personal sound of the cobla orchestra thanks to the recognised mastery of La Principal de la Bisbal. To round off the colours and the rhythm, LA SIMFÒNICA DE COBLA I CORDA DE CATALUNYA also has a harp and the corresponding hand percussion section with recognised professionals who perform with the Orquestra Filharmònica de Catalunya (Philharmonic Orchestra of Catalonia), an ensemble that belongs to the Fundació Orquestra de Cambra de l'Empordà. The orquestra currently comprises about fifty musicians.
Expert musicians have orquestrated the SCCC repertory, which in this initial stage is dedicated to traditional and contemporary Catalan music. The fruits of this creative labour are masterfully collected in the orchestra's three CD recordings: Sardanes per al món (Sardanes for the world, 2008), Inoblidables en concert (Unforgettable in concert, 2009) and Amb Catalunya al cor (With Catalonia in our hearts), which we now present with the hope and desire that it will be as succesful as the previous recordings.
We see the birth of new works
We believe that the possibilities of a group such as this, which is unique in the world, are infinite and that, without a doubt, it will offer its grain of sand to Catalan musical culture. Therefore, we commissioned recognised Catalan musicians, as Albert Guinovart , Salvador Brotons, Carles Cases, Enric Palomar, Francesc Cassu and Monseñor Valenti Miserachs to compose new musical works. Hence, the Sirenes (Mermaids), Companyonia universal (Universal comradeship), Arquivoltes (Archivolts), Introducció i Bailete (Introduction and Balletto), Perfum mediterrani (Mediterranean perfume) and En els braços de la mare (In the arms of the mother), pieces that fit into the repertory of LA SIMFÒNICA DE COBLA I CORDA DE CATALUNYA and which add a new dimension to the world of sardanas.
The path LA SIMFÒNICA DE COBLA I CORDA DE CATALUNYA has ahead of it is very exciting and is an authentic challenge, both in adapting familiar pieces from the cobla's repertory, and in commissioning pieces to young Catalan creative talents, who will be able to avail themselves of a new tool, with encouragement and full of hope to be able to offer a high-quality alternative to the public that loves our music. We are looking at a historic event: the consolidation of a symphonic ensemble that is unique and therefore, incomparable.
