ARCO Chamber Orchestra celebrates Argentinian independence in season opener

The ARCO Chamber Orchestra’s first concert of the season celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Argentine Republic’s Declaration of Independence in Hodgson Concert Hall on Thursday, September 29, at 8 p.m.

 

Argentina will be well-represented at the concert: the orchestra will be joined by Alejandro Drago, a US-based Argentine violinist, composer and conductor, who will serve as both co-conductor and soloist; José A. Flores Velasco, the Consul General of Argentina, will be in attendance; and the program spans the history of Argentinian music.

 

From little-known music by some of the forefathers of the Argentine nations—such as Juan Bautista Alberdi—to pieces by the founders of Argentine music nationalism, Alberto Williams and Alberto Ginastera (whose 100th birthday is this year), the concert program explores not just the origin of Argentinian music, but Argentina itself.

 

The performance also tracks the progression of styles in Argentinian music.

 

“The concert includes a collection by a contemporary Argentine composer of Armenian descent, Alicia Terzian, celebrating the national diversity of the Argentine people,” said ARCO director Levon Ambartsumian, Regents Professor and Franklin Professor of Violin at the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

 

“And, of course, we have a selection of pieces by Astor Piazzolla and other no less renowned tango composers, covering the early Guardia Vieja tunes to the audacities of the Nuevo Tango.”

 

The tango, a musical style which originated in Argentina and Uruguay, will be in capable hands for this concert.

 

“Alejandro Drago is a tango expert, famous for his arrangements of Argentinian Tangos, some of which will be on the program,” said Ambartsumian.

 

Tickets are available at pac.uga.edu or the PAC box office for $20 each or $6 with a UGA student ID.

 

The ARCO Chamber Orchestra was originally founded in Russia in 1989 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory by Ambartsumian. When he joined the School of Music faculty in 1995, he remained the artistic director and conductor of the orchestra, moving its home base to the Hodgson School, where the ensemble has now become a talented international blend of musicians.

 

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.