GENUIN oversees the recording of Orellana Mejía's Symphony at the documenta in Athens

GENUIN oversees the recording of Orellana Mejía's Symphony at the documenta in Athens

Today, the world premiere of the "Sinfonia desde el Tercer Mundo" by Joaquín Orellana Mejía will take place in Athens, with the GENUIN sound master Michael Silberhorn overseeing the recording. The symphony is part of documenta 14 and will be premiered in the evening at the Christos Lambrakis Hall in the impressive Megaron Concert Hall in Athens.

Among the ensembles peforming are the Athens State Orchestra, three choirs and the percussion orchestra "Utiles Sonore" ("Sound Tools"). There is also a traditional marimba ensemble from Guatemala. The marimba was developed in Guatemala. On this instrument, Orellana Mejía oriented himself for his "sound tools" of the percussion orchestra, which are not only musical, but are also a sculptural part of the composition.



Joaquín Orellana Mejía was born in 1937 in Guatemala City. He was a violinist at the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Guatemala, worked in the Dirección General de Bellas Artes de Guatemala and taught at the National Conservatory. With the symphony, Mejía interprets the history and soundscape of his native Guatemala.



The world premiere takes place within the framework of documenta 14, the world's most important series of exhibitions for contemporary art, which is held every five years in Kassel. In addition, Athens will be an exhibition venue until July 16, while the exhibitions will be held in Kassel until September 17, 2017.

The "Sinfonia desde el Tercer Mundo" at documenta 14 in Athens

The program announcement of the symphony


More about the Christos Lambrakis Hall in the Athens Concert Hall



Photography: Michael Silberhorn