The University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with world-renowned brass instrumentalist Pacho Flores to present a concert on March 12 at the Hamel Music Center.

Through an abundance of style, variety and personality, they paid homage to classics and the boldness of Latin sound and innovation.

This is the second collaboration in a new effort by Wisconsin Union Theater to pair the UW Symphony with accomplished artists, like Flores, who have found their footing in their respective industries.

The first was a March 2020 performance with returning pianist Wu Han. As the Covid-19 pandemic derailed plans, it was important for Wisconsin Union Theater to reintroduce such a partnership, said Wisconsin Union Theater director Elizabeth Snodgrass.

“We are very excited about this second collaboration with the UW Symphony Orchestra,” said Snodgrass.

For the concert’s opening piece, Flores gave way to student performers as they performed Albert Ginastera’s “Four Dances,” which set the tone for a lively evening. This piece perfectly embodied the director of orchestral activities and conductor of the university’s symphony orchestra, Oriol Sans, whose impassioned instructions introduced a physical presence into the music.

Ginastera’s “Four Dances” express four different perspectives of life in the Argentine country – the writer’s native land. For example, while the first song titled “The Land Workers” is an energetic roller coaster, the second, named “The Wheat Dance”, is a lyrical interlude underscored by a soothing flute solo near its beginning.

Ginastera’s piece performed by the UW Symphony Orchestra showcased the great talents of UW student musicians, almost making the show’s headliner forget. A perfect first part.

But as Pacho Flores took the stage, the show quickly came into full swing. For his debut song, Flores teamed up with the UW Symphony for a cover of Arturo Marquez’s “Concierto De Otonio” — a piece he debuted in 2018.

The work’s three-song format showcased Flores’ world-class skills on trumpet while persistently accentuating the symphony that ranges from wind instruments to percussion and everything in between.

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Pacho Flores grew up learning to play the trumpet as part of the Youth and Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela, a program that has produced many musical prodigies. His unique ability to incorporate his own energy, flair and colorful style into both classic and contemporary is perhaps what he is best known for.

This is what helped him win the top prize in many international competitions, which made his name known in the industry. As a soloist, Flores has performed alongside a myriad of world-class groups such as the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, the NHK Orchestra of Japan and the Kyiv Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, Flores has given recitals at many of the world’s greatest concert halls such as Carnegie Hall in New York and Pleyel Hall in Paris.

Although he does not tour the world, Flores works as founding director of the Latin American Trumpet Academy in Venezuela where he discovers and develops future generations of Latin American brass instrumentalists.

For her swansong, Flores took over the reins with her solo performances of her original piece titled “Morocota.” In his original recordings, Flores’ trumpet playing is accompanied by acoustic guitar, but in this performance Flores’ inimitable style and spectacular range were abundant, giving the slow piece an imaginative narrative and crowning Flores’ night. with a snap.

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After a brief intermission, the UW Symphony closed the evening with a lengthy but riveting rendition of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 titled ‘Jupiter’. Working on all fours established the band’s ability to play at varied rhythms, providing each with their own amount of detail and attention.

The final song, “Molto Allegro,” brought the house down with an abrupt and passionate conclusion to an evening of musical excellence, and perhaps more importantly, an evening showcasing established and emerging musical talent.

The UW Symphony’s partnership with Pacho Flores is just one of many artistic talents scheduled for Wisconsin Union Theater’s 2022 concert series.

For more information and tickets to future events, visit the Wisconsin Union Theater website and social media pages.