Under the Direction of Benjamin Zander, the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Embarks on a 16-Day Mexican Tour
The Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Benjamin Zander, is set to embark on a 16-day tour across Mexico, performing in León, Guanajuato; Boca del Río and Xalapa, Veracruz; Puebla; and Mexico City.
Zander describes the tour as a cultural mission, aiming to foster dialogue between Mexico and the United States through music.
Performance Highlights
- May 21, Palacio de Bellas Artes, León:
- Opening of “La Fuerza del Destino” by Giuseppe Verdi
- “La Consagración de la Primavera” by Igor Stravinsky
- Ninth Symphony by Antonín Dvorák
- June 26, Sala Nezahualcóyotl, UNAM, Mexico City:
- Sixth Symphony in La Minor, “the Tragic Symphony,” by Gustav Mahler
Benjamin Zander: A Passionate Advocate for Classical Music
Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, believes that everyone loves classical music but may not realize it. His career has been dedicated to the education and promotion of classical music, serving as the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since its founding in 1978.
Zander has extensively studied Gustav Mahler’s works and has several recordings of his symphonies with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia of London. He is also one of the founders of the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Every Saturday, Zander spends four hours working with a group of young musicians aged 12 to 21, offering them a unique experience. “Some come from far distances just to play,” Zander shared in an interview with El Economista.
Unique Musical Experience for Young Musicians
For these young musicians, performing these pieces will be a first. According to Zander, “These concerts will be an emotional experience. While professional orchestras perform weekly and are very solid, like a marriage, each week is the same. But this performance will be like first love. It’s a completely different experience because they’ve never played the piece before.”
The program selection, Zander explains, includes complex pieces requiring full attention from all musicians. “We’ve performed Mahler’s Second Symphony, First Symphony, and Fourth Symphony. Last year, we performed Mahler’s Fifth in Vienna, Prague, and Berlin, which was the natural progression.”
Collaborative Performances in Mexico
During their visit, the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra will collaborate with various Mexican orchestras, including the Eduardo Mata Youth Orchestra, Esperanza Azteca Orchestra, León Philharmonic, and Xalapa Symphony Orchestra.
- In Puebla, the orchestra will join the Esperanza Azteca Chorale for a program featuring Verdi’s “Force of Destiny” Overture, Dvorák’s Ninth Symphony, and Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2.
- For their Sixth Symphony performance in Sala Nezahualcóyotl, the orchestra will collaborate with the Eduardo Mata University Youth Orchestra, an unprecedented partnership where they will perform together despite never having met before.
“We’ll teach them how we play Mahler with freedom, detail, and subtlety. Then, when we perform Márquez’s Danzón, they’ll teach us, creating a collaborative and convivial experience of playing together and expressing love through music,” Zander shared.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Benjamin Zander? – A conductor and advocate for classical music, leading the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since 1978 and co-founding the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
- What is the purpose of the Mexican tour? – To foster cultural dialogue between Mexico and the United States through music.
- What are the key performances during the tour? – Including Verdi’s “Force of Destiny” Overture, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” Dvorák’s Ninth Symphony, and Mahler’s Sixth Symphony.
- What makes this tour unique? – Collaborative performances with various Mexican orchestras and youth ensembles, offering young musicians a unique experience.
