Tractor orchestra ibinida sa Espanya

NAIWANG nagtataka ang music lovers nang buksan ang contemporary music festival sa pamamagitan ng pagtugtog ng orchestra ng umaandar na farm tractors.

Napakamot na lamang ng ulo ang mga manonood makaraan ang kalahating oras na pakikinig ng umaandar na 12 diesel engined tractors na halos ikabingi nila.

Ang tractor symphony ay isinagawa sa Spanish city ng Valencia bilang hudyat ng pagbubukas ng oldest festival ng contemporary music sa bansa na sinimulan noon pang 1978.

Si Swede Sven-Ake Johansson ang conductor ng farmyard ensemble na parang nasa harap lamang siya ng violinists at cello players.

“Yes, I am the soloist,” pahayag ng driver ng isang lumang tractor, ang magsasakang si Hector Latorre. “There are few tractors like this, and the director likes a lot of noise,” dagdag niya.

Sinabi ng isang manonood na si Mampu Perea Badillo: “It was a load of old rubbish. It might appeal to anoraks who like to listen to the different strains of engines, and get their jollies sniffing diesel smoke, but anyone who likes music was left baffled.

“I think they would have been better opening the festival with a load of half-empty water glasses being played. At least they would have made a tune. This lot sounded like a garage workshop on a bad day.”

Masaya ang Swedish conductor sa natuklasang marami rin palang “musicians” na nagmamaneho ng tractors.

Ayon kay Joan Cervero, director ng music festival: “We wanted to start this festival breaking the stereotype that the contemporary music is elitist.”

Inihayag ni Elpido Lopez, clarinettist at driver ng isa sa mga tractor:  “It is an adventure, a new experience.”

“It certainly was that,” ayon kay Miguel Lopez, isa sa mga nanood ng festival. “And not one I want to repeat.”