Gabriela Ortiz and Adriana Malvido Revive 'La Reina Roja' of Palenque

Composer Gabriela Ortiz has unveiled "La Reina Roja," a new orchestral work inspired by the archaeological discovery of the Red Queen of Palenque's tomb. Premiering today as part of the fifth PAAX GNP Festival, the piece was commissioned by artistic director Alondra de la Parra. Ortiz, in a dialogue with journalist Adriana Malvido, who authored the book on which the work is based, stressed the importance of emotional resonance and expressiveness in music. She critiqued the pursuit of pure innovation, stating that some contemporary works fail because they neglect the human element and emotional connection.

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I think this idea of discovering the black thread and revolutionizing the history of music is frankly difficult. Then the result is a paradox because it leads absolutely nowhere, it doesn't sound original and it goes nowhere. I think many of these works are very flawed because they forget that the issue also has to do with emotion and expressiveness. Art and music speak of the human experience in every sense, I don't see it any other way.

Ortiz shared her perspective on musical influences, acknowledging that all artists have them. She noted a mid-20th-century trend in contemporary music that pushed for extreme rationalization and innovation, sometimes at the expense of originality and emotional depth. "I am interested in the listener, the public, the performer," Ortiz stated, highlighting her focus on connecting with the audience. She drew parallels between her own "sound family tree" and the influences of composers like Stravinsky, Revueltas, Bartók, and Ravel, as well as Malvido's book.

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We all have influences. They are welcome, I don't know anyone who doesn't have influences. In the second half of the 20th century, there was a strong attitude in contemporary music: that one had to innovate, modernism taken to the extreme of rationalizing absolutely everything and writing music for other composers (...) I am interested in the listener, the public, the performer.

Malvido expressed her identification with Ortiz's approach, noting how the composer captured the spirit of the Red Queen. She described the immersive experience of Palenque, where sounds and nature, like fireflies and rain, are all-encompassing. The discussion also touched upon the challenge of defining national identity through music, with Ortiz emphasizing that while influences are natural, composers build upon existing traditions. The premiere of "La Reina Roja" promises a unique auditory experience, blending historical inspiration with contemporary musical expression.

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I love dialoguing with Adriana's book. I love dialoguing with anyone who is open to listening to what I do, and this is very important to me.