With 150 recitals, Banrepública celebrates its first century

This year the National Concert Season will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Banco de la República, starting in February and with more than 150 recitals by professional musicians and young performers, that will present a wide range of musical genres in 29 Colombian cities, where the Issuer has its cultural headquarters.

The North American ensemble Bang on a Can, one of the most influential and innovative groups in contemporary music, is the guest at the opening concert of the National Concert Season, which will take place on Wednesday, February 22, at the Sala de Conciertos from the Luis Ángel Arango Library.

This season it offers nearly 150 recitals by professional musicians and young performers who will introduce a variety of musical genres throughout the country.

“The 2023 Season is a wide range of possibilities, with excellent musicians and groups from different latitudes, which will allow Colombians to enjoy different musical genres,” said Julián Navarro, head of the Music Section of the Banco de la República, who also points out that for this season alliances have been made with the Colsubsidio Theater and the Polish Embassy.

In addition to the Bang on a Can Ensemble (United States), in charge of opening the season, the variety of programming will include musicians and groups such as the harpist Édmar Castañeda (Colombia), known as “the jazz virtuoso”, who will perform alongside the nominee to the Grammy Grégoire Maret (Switzerland/United States), clarinetist Jonathan Leibovitz (Israel), violinist Hina Maeda (Japan), winner of the Henryk Wieniawski competition in Poland, Talim Quintet (United States) with traditional Indian music and the series of Young Performers, which will feature great national talents, among others.

The Bogota soprano Juanita Lascarro, who has performed on the most famous stages in Europe, will also participate. Since 2022 she is a permanent member of the Frankfurt Opera and her most recent performances include roles in the operas “The Merry Widow” by Franz Léhar, “Der Zar läßt sich photographieren” by Weill and “Le vin herbé” by Frank Martin . On her tour of Colombia, Juanita will be accompanied by Alejandro Roca, who has served as an accompanist pianist and vocal coach on four continents.

In Bogotá, Leticia and Quibdó

Also noteworthy is the performance of the Simply Quartet (Austria) and the performance of three simultaneous concerts in Bogotá, Leticia and Quibdó, where works commissioned by the Bank will be performed and which will be part of the 100-year celebration of the Issuer.

The Simply Quartet, founded in Shanghai and currently based in Vienna, focuses on repertoire performance from Classicism to the present day. The development of his sonority is based on three great cultures: China, Austria and Norway, which determine his musical decisions. Among his merits are four important prizes awarded by the International Carl Nielsen Competition: Quatour au Bordeaux, Franz Schubert and the Music of Modernity and the International Joseph Haydn Chamber Music Competition.

“It is a very interesting season because it is not simply the day of concerts as such but a week of activities where there will be workshops to read works and the music marathon on February 25. In addition, this year is very important because the Banco de la República celebrates its 100th anniversary, so this season celebrates the anniversary,” Julián Navarro told THE NEW CENTURY.

In this sense, Navarro explained that in the program there are two very special concerts in Bogotá and another two in branches for the centenary.

Within the framework of the centenary celebration, on July 19 there will be a concert that highlights one of the most relevant programs of the Bank, its musical work and that has more than 50 years of experience.: commissioning works to Colombian composers. On this occasion, the first of the works commissioned in 1965 to the composer Fabio González Zuleta is presented, as well as the commissions to Diego Vega (2009), Juan Antonio Cuéllar (2014) and Gustavo Parra (2017).

Bang on a Can, breaking borders

The North American ensemble Bang on a Can is in charge of opening the Concert Season in the Concert Hall of the Luis Ángel Arango Library in Bogotá. Founded in 1992 by composers Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe, this collective is recognized around the world for its dynamic interpretation of today’s most innovative creations. Freely crossing the borders between classical, jazz, rock and experimental music, the ensemble has created its own identity, becoming unique in its genre. He has collaborated with some of the most prominent creators in the medium and has recorded for Sony, Universal and Nonesuch.

During their visit to Colombia, Bang on a Can will perform two concerts at the Concert Hall in Bogotá and one in Medellín, as well as three conferences and a work reading workshop. Likewise, and within the framework of the Issuer’s alliances for this year, it will offer a marathon at the Colsubsidio Theater in Bogotá.