Groups: XVIII. Orchestra of the Century (Director: Daniel Reuss). Orfeón Pamplona (Director: Igor Ijurra).

Soloists: Berit Norbakken (soprano), Esther Kuiper (contralto), Kieran Carell (tenor), Henk Neven (low).

Program: Works of Haydn.

Place and date: Auditorio Baluarte de Pamplona, March 19.

XVIII. The Orchestra of the Century is a jewel among the best European groups, both for its indisputable quality and for the uniqueness of its composition. In fact, in 1981 Frans Brüggen, the great Dutch flute, founded this group and from then on his professional life changed. He abandoned the solo career and dedicated his career to musical direction and historicist research.

The Orchestra was actually a group of friends, all of them great musicians, from twenty countries, who met five times a year (and continue with this method) to interpret according to historical criteria and with original instruments of the time. With this background, it is no wonder that Baluarte’s proposal of
19 March is a real success and an example of how to make elegant and non-loud music.

They performed two works by Haydn. The first, symphony No. 26, at least, called Lamatione. This is one of the first works performed following the Sturm und Drang style. This style or movement gave artists freedom of expression against the limits imposed by the rationalism of the Enlightenment. This particularity is already seen from the first movement of this work, by the use of the minor mode (which is considered more disturbing than the major mode) and by the rhythmic tension that is perceived. The Orchestra, led in this work by Concertino Alexander Janicz, showed a brilliant sound and a proper nuance, full of elegance.

The second, which was the protagonist of the program, was the wonderful Mass of Creation, the penultimate of the fourteen masses composed by Joseph Haydn. Haydn's entire liturgical style is gandious, brilliant and joyful, but it can be said that this Mass, the Schöpfungsmesse, is the most beautiful, expressive and full of life, the celebration of true joy.

For its interpretation, XVIII. Together with the Orchestra of the century, we were able to enjoy the Orfeón Pamplona, led by Igor Ijurra, which at all times acted properly, with a dynamic and exhaustion perfectly pasted with the orchestra.

The solist quartet also contributed to the sound balance of the group. Berit Norbakk’s soprano, the Contralto Esther Kuiper, the tenor Kieran Carell (with a beautiful timbre) and the bass of Henk Neven were able to put their vocal dots at the service of the group, creating a truly balanced and liturgical atmosphere.