A new orchestral work inspired by Paraguay’s countryside celebrations will receive its world premiere in Asunción. Young composer Juan Sebastián Giménez Riveros will present Danza Paraguaya N° 3 in G minor as part of the 2026 edition of the “Soundscapes of Contemporary Paraguay – Composers Residency” programme. The concert will take place on Thursday, 11 June 2026 at 20:00. The event is organised by the National Congress Symphony Orchestra (OSIC) and the El Cabildo Cultural Centre of the Republic.
The performance will take place at the Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane, one of Asunción’s most important cultural venues. Admission is free and open to the public.
A rising voice in Paraguayan classical music
The composer was born in Santa Clara, in the Department of San Pedro. Giménez Riveros has built a growing reputation within Paraguay’s contemporary classical music scene. Based in Asunción for the past decade, he combines his work as a composer with careers as an instrumentalist, educator, and arranger. Recent years have brought a series of notable premieres that have strengthened his profile among audiences and musicians alike. These include Sinfonía de Cámara N° 2 in 2021. Additionally, Danza Paraguaya N° 2 in 2025, Purahéi para Asunción later that same year, and Cantata Navideña N° 1 in December 2025.
The new composition completes a trilogy titled Paraguayan Symphonic Dances, a collection that draws heavily on the country’s musical traditions. According to the composer, each work takes inspiration from elements of Paraguayan folklore, particularly the rhythms and energy of the polka.
Music inspired by rural celebrations
Composed between April and May 2026, Danza Paraguaya N° 3 seeks to capture the atmosphere of festivals and community gatherings across Paraguay’s countryside. The piece opens with dramatic tension and darker harmonies. However, these gradually give way to brighter musical passages that reflect the sounds and emotions associated with traditional celebrations. Through this progression, the work explores different aspects of Paraguayan cultural identity.
A distinctive feature of the composition is its use of two instruments deeply connected to the nation’s musical heritage. The harp plays an important role throughout the piece, using sweeping arpeggios and traditional folkloric techniques to shape the harmonic landscape. Meanwhile, the guitar provides the rhythmic foundation associated with Paraguayan polkas and guaranias, creating a dialogue between folk traditions and symphonic writing.
The new symphony’s premiere will be conducted by Maestro Gabriel Graziani, Assistant Director of the National Congress Symphony Orchestra. Audiences have an opportunity to experience a contribution to Paraguay’s growing catalogue of contemporary classical music.
