Joaquín Orellana Mejía, portrait
Maestro Joaquín Orellana (b. 1937), one of Latin America’s foremost composers, interprets the recent history and soundscape of Guatemala within a larger imagination, influenced by colonialism, civil war, economic deprivation, as well as cultural exchange and innovation—all expressed by the notion of the Third World.
The performance is the world premiere of the symphony. It involves extensive use of the “útiles sonoros” – percussive instruments invented by Joaquin Orellana, which remain on view at the Megaron Mousikis following the performance for the duration of documenta 14 in Athens.
Joaquín Orellana Mejía:
Sinfonía desde el Tercer Mundo (Symphony from the Third World)
Performed by:
Athens State Orchestra
Athens Mixed Municipal Choir (directed by Stavros Beris)
Choir of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation – ERT (directed by Dimitris Ktistakis)
Children’s Choir of the Athens Conservatoire “Little Musicians” (directed by Christina Michalaki with artistic direction of Kalliope Germanou)
Percussion Orchestra “Útiles Sonoros” (directed by Dimitris Desyllas)
Traditional Marimba Musians from Guatemala
Conductor: Maestro Julio César Santos Campos
A coproduction of documenta 14, the Athens State Orchestra, and The Athens Concert Hall Organization
