Alondra de la Parra

[Philoctetes]

(from her Listen interview)
Ben Finane: How do we bridge the gap between standard repertoire and projects like this?

AdlP: This music deserves a place in the standard repertoire of any orchestra. People need to understand that. And just as this music deserves it, Brazilian music deserves it. And American-U.S. music deserves it. And Pakistani music deserves it! There are so many great pieces out there and the programming needs to be not 'Let's make The Mexican Concert - all Mexican! Eat enchiladas, drink tequila, put things up, hit the pinata and forget about it the rest of the year.' No! Grab one of these pieces and combine it with -whatever- Brahms and Debussy. French music went through the same process. French music used to be programmed as French Music on the French Program. Then, suddenly, 'Yo, we actually put the Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun before the Brahms symphony and nobody died!' So this is the process. I think the music world is hungry for options. <...>

"<...> That's it! I didn't have to tap dance, and everybody was silent. And it was opera. And this is not Germany, not even New York. That's the effort you need to make, it's not so big! Show your connection and share it so there is one thread, at least, to grab people's attention. If I play 'Eroica' in Germany I don't have to say a word; the thread has been there for centuries. But when you need it, either talk, or show something, or engage. You have to do that. And we still have so many taboos. 'Don't clap between movements!' 'Don't mix this with that!' 'World premieres don't sell!' 'Unknown soloists don't sell!' And I have to tell you, I have personally proven all of them wrong. Here, we've done concerts where everything is a premiere, where all the soloists are unknown. It's not what - well, of course it's what - but , given that you're doing good music, it's how you do it."

http://www.youtube.com/v/EECi7RngB6U

[Mirror Image]

I appreciate her advocacy of Latin American music but she's far from being an excellent conductor of the music. Eduardo Mata, Giselle Ben-Dor, Enrique Batiz, and John Neschling have done so much for Latin American music, but I think, in time, she will improve. It's all a matter of time.

[Philoctetes]

I appreciate her advocacy of Latin American music but she's far from being an excellent conductor of the music. Eduardo Mata, Giselle Ben-Dor, Enrique Batiz, and John Neschling have done so much for Latin American music, but I think, in time, she will improve. It's all a matter of time.

I, of course, disagree with your assessment. I adore here conducting style.

[Mirror Image]

I, of course, disagree with your assessment. I adore here conducting style.

Well you're easily amused then.

[Philoctetes]

Well you're easily amused then.

Nothing to do with amusement.

[Mirror Image]

Nothing to do with amusement.

When it concerns you, it most certainly does.

[Philoctetes]

When it concerns you, it most certainly does.

Not in this regard.

[Mirror Image]

Anyway getting back to Alondra de la Parra, I think once she's had time to mature, she will do great things with Latin American music, until then she's nothing more than a media darling with nothing to say musically.

[Philoctetes]

Anyway getting back to Alondra de la Parra, I think once she's had time to mature, she will do great things with Latin American music, until then she's nothing more than a media darling with nothing to say musically.

Darling?

I think she's said quite a bit musically, not only in an explicit way, but also in an implicit, more philosophical way. I find her interviews quite penetrating, and she has a clear vision where she sees things going, and where she wants to go. She's quite an amazing young lady.

[Mirror Image]

Darling?

I think she's said quite a bit musically, not only in an explicit way, but also in an implicit, more philosophical way. I find her interviews quite penetrating, and she has a clear vision where she sees things going, and where she wants to go. She's quite an amazing young lady.

Yes, when her recording came out it was overhyped. Have you heard this 2-CD set she made with the Orchestra of the Americas or whatever the mediocre orchestra she's conducting name is? She lacks fire and passion and her orchestra certainly isn't that great. I've heard university orchestras play better than the orchestra she conducted.

[mahler10th]

A viewable link for UK users...I think...it might not be the same as it's not viewable on YouTube for us.

http://www.muzu.tv/alondradelaparra/alondra-de-la-parra-my-mexican-soul-epk-music-video/711966?country=gb&locale=en

[Philoctetes]

Yes, when her recording came out it was overhyped. Have you heard this 2-CD set she made with the Orchestra of the Americas or whatever the mediocre orchestra she's conducting name is? She lacks fire and passion and her orchestra certainly isn't that great. I've heard university orchestras play better than the orchestra she conducted.

I enjoyed the disc quite a bit.

Definitely agree with you about her lacking fire and passion? Whatever that is supposed to mean, but I think she gets all of the attention she deserves. She put in the work, and is good at articulating her positions. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she's fairly attractive, and has somewhat of an 'exotic' feel being a female conductor, but for me, it's really her work ethic that drew me to her, and I think what drew attention to her.

[Philoctetes]

A viewable link for UK users...I think...it might not be the same as it's not viewable on YouTube for us.

http://www.muzu.tv/alondradelaparra/alondra-de-la-parra-my-mexican-soul-epk-music-video/711966?country=gb&locale=en

Thanks John.

[mahler10th]

Mirror Image:  She lacks fire and passion...

I watched the film, and she has PLENTY of that.  Interesting that such a young person has risen so quickly through music in Mexico.  It may be she has plenty to say, and is full of great ideas, but will have to wait a few years to develop gravitas to fulfill her very broad musical ambitions.
But good on her!

[Philoctetes]

I watched the film, and she has PLENTY of that.  Interesting that such a young person has risen so quickly through music in Mexico.  It may be she has plenty to say, and is full of great ideas, but will have to wait a few years to develop gravitas to fulfill her very broad musical ambitions.
But good on her!

She has risen quite quickly, but she has put in quite a bit of work to get to that position, so I firmly believe that she deserves it.

She does have some very ambitious ideas, and I do hope that she will have the power to implement them. Given her drive, she just might accomplish them.