This year's cultural program in Alcoy features a special event to delve into the career of the edition's protagonist, composer Gonzalo Barrachina. The conference will take place on September 21st at 7:30 PM at the Fundación Mutua Levante.
The session will include the participation of music researcher Ernest Llorens, alongside his colleagues Juan Javier Gisbert and José Benjamín González. They have prepared an exhaustive study covering scientific, biographical, and musicological aspects to analyze the life and creations of this musician.
Ernest Llorens emphasized during the presentation that the goal is to rigorously introduce the figure of Barrachina, considered fundamental to the Alcoy music scene. Born in 1869, the composer returned to Alcoy after completing his studies in Madrid, where he achieved excellent qualifications. In his hometown, he was a key figure in the musical environment of the early 20th century, directing various orchestras and concert societies.
Barrachina's legacy includes zarzuelas, religious works, marches for the Moors and Christians festivals, and significant symphonic music, such as the Suite Levantina or La venta de los gatos. He also composed the music for the local festival anthem.
The Councilor for Tourism, Lorena Zamorano, highlighted the importance of this initiative for cultural and citizen development. According to Zamorano, understanding cultural references helps better comprehend local history and encourages citizen participation, while also enriching the leisure offerings during the fair.
During the press conference, the significant impact of Barrachina's music at the time and its positive reception by specialized critics were recalled. As a relevant historical note, it was mentioned that in 1937, the Madrid Municipal Band performed his Suite Levantina during a tour along the Mediterranean coast, including a stop in Alcoy, shortly after the composer's death.
This event underscores the importance of a body of work that is now being compiled and disseminated through archival research, aiming for the public to appreciate the true scope of this illustrious composer.
