“San Nicolás’ new organ is already a reference piece”
Juan de la Rubia, born in Vall de Uxó in 1982, was the first to publicly play the new organ at the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás in Alicante. Two years after the official opening, this instrument will again be tested by a Friday afternoon recital, the 21st, starting at 17:00. De la Rubia is recognized not only for his previous performances but also for his extensive experience as an organist at the Holy Family of Barcelona and as a soloist at venues around the world.
“Participating in the opening is a privilege and an honor because the instrument is entrusted to give its first chords, and that is a very satisfying thing personally,” he notes.
De la Rubia will be joined by the ADDA Simfònica orchestra, conducted by its director Joseph Vincent. This concert forms part of Alicante’s initiative to showcase the organ, coinciding with the council’s restoration and the completion of the instrument’s technical aspects to present it to the public.
With the union of the organist and the symphonic orchestra, the third movement of Saint-Saëns’s work explores the organ as more than a mere accompaniment. The instrument plays a near-solo role, illustrating its versatility and its potential to blend with the orchestra. This piece is a highlight that, for De la Rubia, makes the concert especially engaging and enjoyable to listen to.
When Saint-Saëns described the piece, he wrote with fervor and wisdom. The symphony is energetic and richly contrasting, and that intensity is felt in the performance the organist hopes to convey, especially with institutional backing from a symphony orchestra and the Provincial Council behind the project.
In a landmark image, the new organ of the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás stands as a focal point of Alicante’s musical life. Its restoration and the preservation of the 1580 box, the oldest in the Valencian Community, underscore the temple’s heritage value. The instrument itself is significant, offering a wide palette of sounds and demanding a skilled organist who can explore its varied tonal colors and expressive possibilities.
In addition to this performance, De la Rubia, a professor at the Catalonian School of Music, has prepared another repertoire piece. He notes that, even if he has not yet settled on the exact selection, he will be at San Nicolás next Thursday to rehearse with the orchestra. The Co-Cathedral’s organ is in excellent condition, and its liturgical use places a strong emphasis on its role within the soundscape of the space. Restoring this instrument is a meaningful gesture for the temple’s heritage and for the community’s cultural life.
The organ’s size and quality deserve attention. A musician with a wide recording catalog can harvest a rich and varied sonic palette, and this instrument invites a broad range of organist performances, from religious services to concert settings and chamber ensembles that may accompany choirs and orchestras alike.
looking to the future
For Juan de la Rubia, the crucial steps are already in the past: the project’s construction, financing, and ongoing support. The next phase will unfold after the opening concert, which will determine how the instrument lives on through use and dissemination. The organ will serve two primary audiences: liturgical gatherings and concert settings, acknowledging a substantial non-religious repertoire that can anchor chamber ensembles, orchestras, and choral events. The instrument thus becomes a versatile partner for a wide spectrum of musical activities.
Pedagogy is another essential pillar. Training organists to care for, play, and teach with the instrument is a cultural mission that the council supports as part of its broader educational mandate. This aligns with the stance of the State Council President, Carlos Mazón, who emphasizes not only preserving historical and musical heritage but also integrating the new instrument into the cultural and educational fabric for the city and its citizens. The opening concert is seen as an opportunity to foster collaboration among cultural entities, including the participation of a premier group like ADDA Simfònica.