Philip Glass's minimalist and iconic oeuvre take centre stage in Spain this month, as the Real Filharmonía de Galicia presents “FOCUS #2: Philip Glass”. Under the baton of Sebastian Zinca, the orchestra will perform three of Glass's most notable works, including a Spanish premiere.
On February 13 at the Auditorio de Galicia in Santiago de Compostela, the Real Filharmonia de Galicia and Kebyart Saxophone Quartet will present the Spanish premiere of Glass's Concerto Grosso ,composed in 1992. Inspired by the Baroque form of the concerto grosso, the work is structured in five movements and demonstrates Glass's ability to draw on history in his repetitive structures.
The programme also includes Concerto for Saxophone Quartet, originally composed in 1995, this 22-minute work highlights the lyrical textures characteristic of Glass's middle period, brilliantly conveying the intimacy of the quartet within an orchestra.
To complete this programme, Company, one of Glass's most frequently performed works for string orchestra. Composed in 1983, this four-movement piece was originally written as incidental music for a theatre adaptation of Samuel Beckett's short story of the same name.
These performances highlight the enduring resonance of Philip Glass's music within the European orchestral community and mark an important milestone for the Real Filharmonía de Galicia's 2025–2026 season.