- The Galicia Clarinet Fest turns Lalín into the international epicenter of the clarinet with classes, workshops, and concerts.
- Manuel Martínez presents "Sonoro Infinito," an avant-garde show that fuses music and technology at the Galicia Clarinet Fest.
- Jaqueline Martínez Alzate stands out for her career in clarinet and her scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music.
- Various symphony festivals in Spain feature the clarinet as a key instrument in their artistic offerings.
Clarinet music The clarinet is experiencing a period of great dynamism and relevance on the national and international cultural scene. Various festivals, educational projects, and the development of young talents are placing the clarinet at the center of musical innovation and tradition.
In the last days, The town of Lalín has become a hub for clarinetists. with the celebration of the sixth edition of the Galicia Clarinet Fest. Fifty students, along with renowned figures from the national scene, participate in intensive training sessions, concerts, and activities that bring the instrument to the general public.
Galicia Clarinet Fest: tradition, dissemination, and new sounds
Since the beginning of the week, The Lalín Auditorium hosts the Galicia Clarinet Fest Academy classes., where both musicians in training and professionals enjoy artistic exchange. Concerts in Praza das Pipas and the involvement of storytellers and theatre companies offer a multidisciplinary and intimate experience.
Among the most notable events, the performance by a clarinet ensemble directed by Celso Fernández Sanmartín, as well as the collaboration of the company Viravolta Títeres, highlights the versatility of the clarinet, which is integrated with narration and scenic elements.
The programming also includes Recitals by renowned musicians such as Josep Fuster and José Luis Estellés, accompanied by pianist Alicia González Permuy, as well as the participation of the Royal Philharmonic of Galicia under the baton of José Luis Estellés, with works for solo clarinet by Emilio Alonso Espasandín and Xocas Meijide.
A special moment is provided by the absolute premiere of the work Paradox, by Alexandre Kosmicki, commissioned by the participating Galician clarinetists, and the interpretation of classics such as Brahms Concerto No. 1 and Zoltán Kódály's Galanta Dances.
Sonoro Infinito: innovation and creativity on stage
One of the highlights of this edition is the staging of "Sonoro Infinito", a show conceived by clarinetist Manuel Martínez. This proposal combines music, visual effects, and lighting design to create an immersive experience where The clarinet becomes a catalyst for multi-effects and contemporary soundscapes.
Martínez himself, recognized for his virtuosity, details how The creation of the show has taken two years of work and involves prestigious composers and visual artists—including Sol Picó, winner of the National Dance Prize—and a first-class technical team. The result is a narrative journey through the evolution of the world: from the genesis of the universe to the challenges and hopes of humanity today, using cutting-edge technological and artistic resources.
The public reception has been enthusiastic, with comments highlighting the originality of merging clarinet, cinema, philosophy and new technologies in a global proposal. The show, presented for the first time in Alicante and now in Lalín, illustrates how clarinet musicians are exploring innovative formats and breaking traditional repertoire boundaries.
Training, talent and international projection
The current situation of the clarinet music It's not limited to festivals and concerts. The professional development of young musicians is making headlines thanks to figures like Jaqueline Martínez Alzate, who, after a solid career in the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra and various international festivals, has been admitted with a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music to continue his postgraduate training in classical clarinet.
Jaqueline's story reflects a a journey marked by passion, discipline and family roots in music. From his early classes at the University of Antioquia to his recent international achievement, he demonstrates the impact of musical education and vocation on the development of new clarinet talents.
Today, as a mentor and teacher, contributes to the training of future generations through initiatives such as the Ibero-American Philharmonic Academy, while maintaining its roots and relationship with the musical community that formed it.
The clarinet at festivals and symphonic gatherings
The clarinet's prominence extends to Other festivals and programs in SpainFor example, the Requena International Music, Grape Harvest, and Wine Festival (FiMuVin) includes the clarinet in prominent concerts, including the Tourbillon Quintet, where Cecilio Vilar, clarinetist with the Valencian Community Orchestra, also offers training courses throughout the week.
The XXIV Santander Music and Academy Meeting includes the clarinet in different chamber and symphonic formations, with repertoires ranging from Classical works by Mozart to contemporary and lesser-known pieces, such as those by Miguel YusteSoloists like Eric Ortiz showcase the stylistic and technical variety that the clarinet offers in today's music.
These examples demonstrate the transversal character of the clarinet in festival programming of academic music, where it shares the spotlight with other wind instruments, strings and piano, and where training, competitions and dissemination play an essential role in consolidating new audiences and talents.
The current vitality of clarinet music is reflected in the variety of offerings, the commitment to excellence in training, and the recognition of those, like Jaqueline Martínez Alzate and the musicians participating in festivals, who continue to expand the expressive limits of this versatile instrument. The recent calendar reveals the clarinet's convening power and its growing presence in national and international artistic circles.
