SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—Jose Antonio Molina, conductor, pianist, composer, is the director of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic that makes its home the Eduardo Brito National Theater. But on Feb. 3, Mr. Molina appeared not for rehearsals but a refreshing evening at the theater.
“Truly magnificent, a beautiful impression. I think it is an unprecedented contribution to the culture of our country, something very fresh, very new,” he said.
“In the aspect of my profession, it is very interesting how to combine the sounds of a traditional orchestra with ethnic, folk elements and Chinese instruments. So I am very happy and above all very grateful to bring a show of this level to the Dominican Republic.”
“Magnificent, a highly refined technique. I studied music in New York at all the main conservatories, at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard, and I love New York. And [Shen Yun’s orchestra is] definitely the best of the best, that is, how to combine a traditional classical technique of top dancers with the best from the Chinese traditions,” he said.
“[It is] simply new. I am used to doing the traditional symphonic repertoire of the great orchestras from Bach to Bartók and seeing how to merge these things, seeing traditional instruments, string instruments, traditional woodwinds, of course, the harp, etc. And when a folk color comes, it’s very refreshing news, it’s something new in the symphonic world. So I really congratulate you and thank you for coming to our country with a show of this level,” Mr. Molina said.
“I think that I have enjoyed the whole night, everything has had a very beautiful color, I am impressed above all by the highly refined technique, there are more than the production effects, simply wonderful, I truly congratulate you,” Mr. Molina said, wanting to pass on his gratitude to the artists.
Mr. Molina felt the culture, the reverence for the divine, and the universal values of this divinely inspired civilization Shen Yun wanted to present.
“I have felt it basically from the first note the orchestra sang to the last step a dancer took,” he said. “It has deeply penetrated the public.”
“I think that they reflect above all the idiosyncrasies of that part of the world, of that spiritual part,” he said. “We are passionate about it, we don’t have the opportunity; I did and have done concerts and have rehearsed traditional concerts in Chinese territory in the Forbidden City, with the Peking Opera Orchestra. I did the event of the three tenors Pavarotti, Plácido, and Carreras and I have always had contact, students, my classmates in New York, in the conservatories, so I have always been passionate about that culture and tonight has touched me in a very special way.”
“I don’t think that everyday one has the pleasure, the delight of seeing a show of this magnitude. So fresh, so different from everything that goes through the great halls of the world,” he said.
“It is definitely important news, where any stop that this company has—is going to be news, because it really is very original,” he said.
