The Netanya Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra performs nationwide
By SARAH HERSHENSONUpdated: NOVEMBER 22, 2017 18:16(photo credit: KFIR BOLOTIN)
‘I want the audience to experience breathtaking virtuosity and enjoyment in the upcoming series of the Netanya Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra concerts, which we will perform in seven locations throughout Israel on November 24 to December 2,” says NKO conductor Christian Lindberg from his home in Norway.“We are very excited to bring to Israel as virtuoso soloist Francisco (Pacho) Flores, who is regarded as one of the finest trumpet players in the world. He will team with Guy Sarig, NKO’s own stunning principal and solo trumpet, in Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets and Orchestra, a brilliant piece,” Lindberg adds.“Since last year when I began my position as resident conductor of the NKO, I have fallen in love with the orchestra. I am excited to include in these concerts Mozart’s Symphony No. 38, ‘The Prague Symphony,’ in which Mozart made extensive use of wind instruments. The symphony premiered in Prague in January of 1787, and there is a theory that Mozart was influenced in this and later compositions by the wind players of Prague and surrounding Bohemia, whose skill were famous throughout Europe. It is a challenge for the winds, and the NKO has excellent players,” he says.Lindberg will be donning the hat of composer/conductor in the performance of Akbank Bunka, a composition he wrote for trumpet and orchestra, commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and premiered in 2004.“This piece has influences of music from all parts of the globe. The music begins with a simple melody, which is almost a child’s tune. It then segues into Oriental jazz, influenced by my tour in Turkey in 2003. The name ‘Akbank Bunka’ is Turkish (akbank means ‘bank’ and bunka means ‘culture’), and the rhythm of the music is a play on these words,” he explains.“Christian and I have played Akbank Bunka together 25 times in concerts in Europe and the Far East,” says trumpet star Flores, “and the audiences have loved it.”Flores is the first-prize winner of the Maurice Andre International Competition, the world’s most important trumpet contest, as well as the recipient of first prize at the Philip Jones International Competition and the International Competition “Citta di Porcia.” He records exclusively for Deutsche Gramophone and will record a series that reflects his wide repertoire.Flores was born in Venezuela in 1981. He is a product of the unique music education system in Caracas called El Sistema, which literally picks up young boys and girls off the streets, puts musical instruments into their hands and affords them the best in musical training, which has given rise to talent that has changed the world of classical music.“I am very pleased to be coming to Israel and performing with Christian Lindberg,” says Flores on the phone from China, where he is touring and giving master classes. “This will be the first time I will be playing in Israel. In addition, I will give master classes, adding to my experiences in the country and, hopefully, to those of the participants. The trumpet is an instrument that can sing. It has an advantage that it is versatile.It can sound like a voice, a violin, an oboe, a bass flute … The most important thing for me in making music is to dream.”Guy Sarig, the NKO principal trumpet player and founding member of the Israel Brass Quintet, will perform with Flores in Vivaldi’s Double Trumpet Concerto.“It will be the first time I will be playing with Pacho, whom I regard as a phenomenal musician,” says Sarig.“He can do things on the trumpet that no one else can. Combined with Lindberg’s skill and energy, plus the technique and brilliance called for in the music, which I am sure will be delivered, I think the crowd will go crazy.”The Netanya Kibbutz Chamber Orchestra will perform November 24 to December 2. For ticket information: www.nko.co.il
