“Not Anxious at All”

Under the masterful direction of Josep Vicent, ADDA·Simfònica presents an album of extraordinary strength and originality, moving fluidly between satire, nostalgia, and rhythmic vitality.

The title, Not Anxious at All, is an ironic statement: the works it brings together were composed in the midst of global turmoil (1934-1949), with the exception of Paquito D'Rivera's work, and yet humor, imagination, and vitality take center stage here.

The journey begins with the biting Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 1 by Shostakovich, where waltz, polka, and foxtrot are transformed into corrosive satire with banjo, Hawaiian guitar, and saxophones. It continues with the lyricism and energy of Aaron Copland (Jubilee Variations and Quiet City), where jazz and North American folk roots merge into soundscapes of great intensity.

Paquito D’Rivera adds brilliance and color with The Elephant and the Clown: a symphonic fantasy that fuses jazz, Caribbean rhythms, and circus sonorities with wit and mastery.

The climax arrives with the monumental Symphony No. 2 by Leonard Bernstein, The Age of Anxiety, inspired by Auden’s poem. Under Josep Vicent’s personal vision, the work unfolds all its expressive power: variations, fugues, symphonic jazz, and an epilogue of enormous emotional weight reflecting the doubts and yearnings of a generation.

Adding to this is the exceptional work of producer Fernando Arias, the architect of a flawless sound production that captures not only the orchestra’s technical excellence but also its spirit. His work provides unity and depth to the whole, balancing detail and atmosphere with an intelligent and sensitive ear.

With Not Anxious at All, ADDA·Simfònica and Josep Vicent deliver a project that transcends performance to become an artistic statement: vibrant, innovative, and profoundly human music.

A sonic feast not to be missed.