Five years have passed since the orchestra’s first concert ADDA Simfònica. On December 14, 2018, a double program was presented under the leadership of Josep Vicent, who has since become its founder and principal conductor: Beethoven’s fifth symphony and Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony. Two days before I wrote a long article on these INFORMATION pages saying “Orchestra needs time”, I said the following after reviewing the abbreviated history of orchestra formations in our city from 1903 to 2018:
«We now face a new challenge: a stable orchestra for ADDA, the largest symphonic auditorium in the state. In order to consolidate a symphonic formation, it must provide appropriate programming to human resources and increasingly frequent performances. In addition, the support and patience of those who attend their concerts, the enthusiasm and financial security of the musicians who make up the band, beyond good guidance. In this way, it becomes possible to bring together a group of musicians who give the orchestra a correct and adequate, identifiable musical personality. Prestige is achieved through continuity and programming, not merely through many years of existence. We hope that this new venture in our eventful musical history will soon gain prestige and consolidate a project that is as exciting as it is ambitious.
Today we can say that Alicante has a symphony orchestra that it has never had before, and in these five years of experience it has reached a level that even the most optimistic of us among Spanish orchestras could not have imagined. In many cities of Spain, orchestras with many years behind them, such as ADDA Simfònica, cannot be said to develop and progress sufficiently every year. Two examples are enough: Russian Tchaikovsky’s sixth Pathetique, which we listened to at the beginning of this season on September 29, is his last elegy Adagio, which is still exciting to remember; or their rendition of Mozart’s always difficult 40th symphony, The Great, on November 19, under guest conductor French Pierre Bleuse. Most of the musicians were the same as those who started working in the orchestra five years ago, but the combination of all of them revealed a very well done maturation work. Josep Vicent can add the qualification of “orchestral producer” to his CV, a qualification that few baton players can possess, as he demonstrated many years ago by conducting several seasons of the World Musical Youth Orchestra (OMJM).
At OMJM, the roster of instrumentalists from half the world logically changed every two or three years. The forty-odd music stands that started the ADDA orchestra here are almost completed, their numbers are increasing little by little, and reinforcements are often resorted to. This continuity in musicians, the diversity of programmed works, the increase in performances within and outside ADDA, the presence of very good soloists and guest conductors in concert works have been the basis for ADDA Simfònica to achieve the solera and music quality it has. Today. The ADDA Foundation of the Alicante Provincial Council should be proud of what the orchestra and its director have achieved and should be aware that from now on they should not be deprived of the necessary support and tools for continued success.
Alicante has a top-notch and up-and-coming symphony orchestra; this is evidenced by his recent double nomination for Grammy, Latin and International or his tour through Alicante, Madrid with Beethoven’s Ninth Orfeón Donostiarra choir, a choir of international prestige. and Barcelona. Congratulations everyone! Happy birthday to our orchestra!