Concert Preview: Wagner, Colomer and Bruckner — an Evening Between Force and Nuance

Concert preview: An evening between force and nuance

On Thursday, 20 November, Auditorium Palma opens its doors again for the second subscription concert of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears (OSIB). The program features Wagner, the contemporary Spaniard Juan J. Colomer and Anton Bruckner — conducted by Pablo Mielgo. As special guests, the Spanish Brass bring their unmistakable brass sound. For anyone who sees concerts as little island excursions in everyday life: this is one of them.

Practical information first

Doors usually open from 19:00, concert start around 20:00. The repeat in Manacor follows on Friday — so a double chance for everyone moving around the island. Parking directly at the auditorium is scarce; if possible, switch to bus or bicycle. Tip from experience: arrive a little earlier — brass players often rehearse in the foyer, and it is a lovely moment to hear the instruments up close while the November wind tugs at the palms outside.

Wagner: Festive, but not only pathos

The Overture to Die Meistersinger opens the evening with plenty of wind power and a big breath: lots of rhythm, a lot of self-confidence. It is less an operatic excerpt than a concentrated announcement of communal musical joy. On the island, where one is used to the sound of boat engines and street cafés, Wagner's sound world feels like a modern temple — loud, warm, sometimes surprisingly tender.

Colomer: Three pictures, three moods

Juan J. Colomer's La Devota Lasciva presents itself as a triptych: Deambular, Descubrir, Destapar. Instead of a linear narrative, the work offers atmospheric miniatures in which modern timbres, subtle rhythms and unexpected brass solos meet. For ears curious about the connection between tradition and contemporary musical language, this is a very rewarding interlude — almost like a stroll through an urban-artistic corner of Palma, only with more tuba.

Bruckner: The 'Romantic' in full

The evening concludes with Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major, the so-called 'Romantic'. Horn calls, wide arches, a slow Andante that evokes church spaces and vast landscapes — and a finale that ties all the threads together. Bruckner builds his music layer by layer: movement by movement something large, almost archaic, grows. On a clear November night in the east of the island, this monumentality almost feels natural.

Why the evening is worth it

This program is not only for die-hard classical fans: those who love large orchestral sounds will be rewarded with Bruckner's power; those who enjoy modern sound exploration will find small surprises in Colomer; and Wagner provides the connecting frame. The presence of Spanish Brass intensifies the tension between monument and chamber music — brass that sparkles, breathes and sometimes bites.

A practical tip on seat choice: for the full impact of the brass, seats a little further forward are nice; for the overall view of Bruckner's architecture, the balcony is pleasant. And personally: bring a scarf — November can get cool in the evening on the walk back and at the café on the square. I will certainly be sitting in my seat with too much coffee and a slightly nervous smile.

Tickets are available online via the Auditorium and at the box office; a multilingual program booklet will be provided. For those arriving spontaneously: being early pays off — not only for the best seats, but also for the small, unexpected moments in the foyer when a horn quietly rehearses and the city outside still plays its own concert.