Music and all the rest in Soller this week

Published in the Majorca Daily Bulletin

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Photograph by RACHEL FOX

 

On the calendar for Soller last Saturday evening there were five concerts.  We were spoilt for choice and the decisions about which one to attend were not taken lightly.  There were two benefit concerts to help those without income which is a problem of Soller winters.  As work comes to an end for the season the number of people dependant on Caritas, the Red Cross and Social Services increases.  The Port of Soller held a Violin Concert in its Church of St Ramon de Penyafort for the Red Cross.  I watched the tram leaving Soller with plenty of friends on board who were going to that concert. I didn’t join them as my choice for the evening took me to the Victoria Cultural Centre in Soller for the Three Town Xeremiers Concert.  I’m a sucker for a marching band and I love the Soller version.  The bands are all inclusive, so the generations from a child playing a pipe to granddad on the bagpipes are represented.

Three towns sent their bands for the ‘play off’ and the hall was packed and it was standing room only as the concert started…  The audience were just like the musicians – a full representation of life from babes in arms to the elderly supporting their traditions. The admission fee was a donation to the ‘Food project’ for Soller.

 

Meanwhile down at the Museum of the Sea in the Port of Soller the Classical Music Festival was having one of five concerts this autumn.  This is a prestigious affair and brings musicians from Germany under the auspices of the Russian pianist Alexander Malter.  This festival celebrates its 10^th year this year and is the result of the collaboration between Jos Kuiper the owner of the Geranios Hotel in the Port and the pianist.  The idea for the festival was born 10 years ago when Alexander was a guest at the hotel and the two men got talking music one day.  Jos is passionate about music and between them the festival has grown to being the highlight of the autumn programme of events in Soller.  The location of the Museum of the Sea with its sunset patio and spectacular views always makes it a pleasure to be there.  The quality of the music is always high and members of the Berlin Philharmonic are often to be found giving of their talent to Alexander Malter and Soller music.  The interval hospitality is generous and Cava and nibbles are served, this together with the stunning location makes it a musical party every Saturday night.

 

On Sunday the action switched to Sant Bartholomew Church in Soller City centre.  The parishioners had been so looking forward to the arrival of the statue of the Lady of Fatima – it was definitely the highlight of their church year.  This statue of Mary originated in Fatima in Portugal and is one of twelve.  The number represents the apostles and they were created to go out to evangelise the world.  The story goes that the visiting statues bring the news of God to the people wherever she travels.  The coincidence that Sunday was ‘ Mission Sunday’ in the Catholic Church was also considered auspicious for her visit to the people of Soller.  I went to the church to take a look at the sweet, unassuming statue and the hundreds – probably over 600 people – there to take part in the service. Fatima leaves the Soller valley for visits to five other churches in Majorca before taking her leave of this place.  She will certainly leave memories in Soller that will be talked of for years.

 

As the week roles on the excitement gathers in the local school as its time to celebrate the Feast of St Ursula.  Tradition involves the deep frying of bunuelas (small doughnuts made of potato flour with a hole in the middle) which are covered in sugar and eaten hot.  All the local schools have their bunuela frying time and the children love it.  In Soller we even have the ‘officially appointed Bunuela Cook’.  This is an honour for the person chosen and a huge responsibility at this time of year.  Another tradition that is part of the rich fabric of life here in the Soller Valley .

 

When Soller was chosen as the Cultural Centre of the Serra de Tramuntana by UNESCO all these things were taken into account.  The meticulous observation of tradition, the music, the religion and everything that makes the life of a Solleric slightly different to the rest of Majorca .  It maybe considered odd to dress up so often in traditional costumes, to pay homage to a statue or think that the world outside the Soller Tunnel is not as important as this side but that’s just how it is.  This is the culture that people buy into when they really get involved in Soller life.  It is considered your ‘marmite moment’ – you either love it or you hate it.  I think you know which side I am on.

Music and all the rest in Soller this week

Published in the Majorca Daily Bulletin

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Photograph by RACHEL FOX

 

On the calendar for Soller last Saturday evening there were five concerts.  We were spoilt for choice and the decisions about which one to attend were not taken lightly.  There were two benefit concerts to help those without income which is a problem of Soller winters.  As work comes to an end for the season the number of people dependant on Caritas, the Red Cross and Social Services increases.  The Port of Soller held a Violin Concert in its Church of St Ramon de Penyafort for the Red Cross.  I watched the tram leaving Soller with plenty of friends on board who were going to that concert. I didn’t join them as my choice for the evening took me to the Victoria Cultural Centre in Soller for the Three Town Xeremiers Concert.  I’m a sucker for a marching band and I love the Soller version.  The bands are all inclusive, so the generations from a child playing a pipe to granddad on the bagpipes are represented.

Three towns sent their bands for the ‘play off’ and the hall was packed and it was standing room only as the concert started…  The audience were just like the musicians – a full representation of life from babes in arms to the elderly supporting their traditions. The admission fee was a donation to the ‘Food project’ for Soller.

 

Meanwhile down at the Museum of the Sea in the Port of Soller the Classical Music Festival was having one of five concerts this autumn.  This is a prestigious affair and brings musicians from Germany under the auspices of the Russian pianist Alexander Malter.  This festival celebrates its 10^th year this year and is the result of the collaboration between Jos Kuiper the owner of the Geranios Hotel in the Port and the pianist.  The idea for the festival was born 10 years ago when Alexander was a guest at the hotel and the two men got talking music one day.  Jos is passionate about music and between them the festival has grown to being the highlight of the autumn programme of events in Soller.  The location of the Museum of the Sea with its sunset patio and spectacular views always makes it a pleasure to be there.  The quality of the music is always high and members of the Berlin Philharmonic are often to be found giving of their talent to Alexander Malter and Soller music.  The interval hospitality is generous and Cava and nibbles are served, this together with the stunning location makes it a musical party every Saturday night.

 

On Sunday the action switched to Sant Bartholomew Church in Soller City centre.  The parishioners had been so looking forward to the arrival of the statue of the Lady of Fatima – it was definitely the highlight of their church year.  This statue of Mary originated in Fatima in Portugal and is one of twelve.  The number represents the apostles and they were created to go out to evangelise the world.  The story goes that the visiting statues bring the news of God to the people wherever she travels.  The coincidence that Sunday was ‘ Mission Sunday’ in the Catholic Church was also considered auspicious for her visit to the people of Soller.  I went to the church to take a look at the sweet, unassuming statue and the hundreds – probably over 600 people – there to take part in the service. Fatima leaves the Soller valley for visits to five other churches in Majorca before taking her leave of this place.  She will certainly leave memories in Soller that will be talked of for years.

 

As the week roles on the excitement gathers in the local school as its time to celebrate the Feast of St Ursula.  Tradition involves the deep frying of bunuelas (small doughnuts made of potato flour with a hole in the middle) which are covered in sugar and eaten hot.  All the local schools have their bunuela frying time and the children love it.  In Soller we even have the ‘officially appointed Bunuela Cook’.  This is an honour for the person chosen and a huge responsibility at this time of year.  Another tradition that is part of the rich fabric of life here in the Soller Valley .

 

When Soller was chosen as the Cultural Centre of the Serra de Tramuntana by UNESCO all these things were taken into account.  The meticulous observation of tradition, the music, the religion and everything that makes the life of a Solleric slightly different to the rest of Majorca .  It maybe considered odd to dress up so often in traditional costumes, to pay homage to a statue or think that the world outside the Soller Tunnel is not as important as this side but that’s just how it is.  This is the culture that people buy into when they really get involved in Soller life.  It is considered your ‘marmite moment’ – you either love it or you hate it.  I think you know which side I am on.