A Tribute to Mexican Music and Dmitri Shostakovich’s 50th Anniversary of Death
The Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco (OFJ), recognized as one of Latin America’s most outstanding orchestras for its exceptional sound and diverse repertoire, is embarking on a National Tour 2025 under the artistic direction of José Luis Castillo. The tour aims to extend their artistic dialogue nationwide, following successful performances in Guadalajara and across Jalisco.
Tour Dates and Program
- September 17, 2025: Teatro del Bicentenario Roberto Plasencia Saldaña, León, Guanajuato
- September 19, 2025: Sala Nezahualcóyotl, Centro Cultural Universitario de la UNAM, Mexico City
The OFJ will perform a program that honors Mexican music and pays tribute to Dmitri Shostakovich on the 50th anniversary of his death. The concert will feature Carlos Chávez’s Huapango and Sandunga, Silvestre Revueltas’ Esquinas (second version), and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Sinfonía núm. 11, El año 1905.
About the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco
Founded in 1915 by Mexican composer and conductor José Rolón, the OFJ has gained international acclaim for its exceptional musical performances. The orchestra has been celebrated on prestigious stages in Mexico, South Korea, the United States, Germany, and Austria. Under José Luis Castillo’s leadership since 2022, the OFJ has expanded its repertoire to include works from the 18th century to contemporary 21st-century avant-garde, featuring both established and underrepresented composers, as well as a gender perspective.
Program Highlights
- Carlos Chávez: Huapango and Sandunga (1926-1932) – Part of the ballet-sinfonia in four movements, Horsepower, originally performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1932 with choreography by Catherine Littlefield and Diego Rivera’s costumes and set design.
- Silvestre Revueltas: Esquinas (second version, 1933) – A composition from 1931 that aimed to recreate the sound of Mexico’s streets and neighborhoods. The revised version in 1933 omitted the female voice from the first movement and merged it into a single movement with contrasting sections, incorporating the sounds of street vendors and urban spaces.
- Dmitri Shostakovich: Sinfonía núm. 11, El año 1905 (1957) – Commissioned to commemorate the failed 1905 Russian Revolution, which became a symbol of struggle for the Bolshevik movement. The symphony resembles a sinfónico poem in four movements without pause, depicting oppressive past, awakening protest, struggle, mourning, and triumph.
About José Luis Castillo
José Luis Castillo, the OFJ’s artistic director, is renowned for his interpretive rigor and international career as a conductor, composer, and educator. Trained in Salzburg, Luxembourg, and Paris, Castillo has directed over 70 orchestras in 25 countries across Europe, America, and Asia. His discography comprises 15 titles, and he has conducted more than 400 world premieres. His compositions have been performed in festivals across Europe, America, and Asia.
