Ofunam will premiere a piece dedicated to the Pumas soccer team on its 70th anniversary

In the context of the 70th anniversary of the National University Club, this Saturday the Philharmonic Orchestra of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Ofunam) will offer a concert in which they will premiere the piece 1954 Symphony of the Auriazul Passion, by Rodrigo Valdez Hermoso, a work that seeks to honor the soccer team, Pumas, for being an emblem of university identity.

The symphony will be performed under the baton of Iván López Reynoso, in the Nezahualcóyotl room of the University Cultural Center, today at 8 p.m., and tomorrow at 12 p.m., as part of the last program of the third season of the university group.

According to the author, the work seeks to reflect the determination, impetus and university spirit that have characterized the team and its fans, and pays “tribute to all those who have worked hard to consolidate the project that began so amateur in the university community.”

Symphony of blue-blue passion It is divided into three movements: From the origin: Courage, drive and heart, which goes from the founding of the club, in 1954, until its first championship, in 1977; The light outlined the silhouette of the University Olympic Stadium; the tension from the battle was perceived, It is about Miguel Mejía Barón’s management of the team, from when he took it over until they became champions, in 1991, and Of future triumphs: Ode to the university spirit, celebrates the rich history and legacy of the Pumas.

Valdez assured in a UNAM Culture bulletin that the piece is like the soundtrack of the history of the Pumas. Sounds are included that allude to the atmosphere of the University Olympic Stadium, home of the Auriazul squad. When you are in the Pumas stadium and the direct sound of what the Blue and Gold Pride, the Rebel, is generating, we are very clear about the sound of the bass drum. In the piece this instrument is fundamental, as well as the metals. At the moment certain motifs appear such as the Pu-mas-gol.

The Club Universidad Nacional team was formally established in the Nabor Carrillo rectory, and with seven league championships, the Pumas have established themselves as part of the country’s university culture.

Valdez Hermoso played for Pumitas in his childhood and has a university family. Hence Using Pumas, which is one of the most important teams in Mexican soccer, with millions of followers, seemed like a wonderful opportunity for many generations of young people to find out that there is contemporary symphonic music..

In addition to this work, the presentation will include Weber’s Clarinet Concerto 1 with the participation of Jorge José Domínguez, who in 2023 competed to be a soloist with Ofunam, when he was still a student at the Faculty of Music. There will also be the premiere in Mexico of Inferno, first part of the ballet Dante, by Thomas Adès, composition inspired by the divine comedy, by Alighieri.