Colombian Youth Philharmonic

Like a lightning strike - When the Yehudi Menuhin Competition was postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic, there could have been fears for the glory of this traditional competition. But the opposite happened - mainly thanks to violinist María Dueñas, who was born in Granada in southern Spain in 2002. With "such infectious joy, informality, ... with a radiantly luminous, lively tone and supple technical virtuosity", she was already convincing in the first round. Finally, in the finale, her interpretation of Édouard Lalo's sparkling Spanish violin jewel was of such fiery intensity that it "shot through the screen like a bolt of lightning". This was the recollection of a reviewer for the British music magazine Gramophone, which named María Dueñas "Young Artist of the Year" in 2025. Since she started playing the violin at the age of six, the instrument has been a natural part of her life, says the artist. She has enjoyed practising, inspired by great role models
and driven by the desire to develop her own unmistakable sound. She has retained this authentic joy despite her rapid career progression - and Lalo's virtuoso rhapsody is still with her today.

María Dueñas returns to the Albert Concerts alongside star conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. His Stravinsky interpretations have caused an international sensation - and will undoubtedly also make an impact with the youthful and enthusiastic orchestra of his Colombian homeland. "The vitality and precision with which the young Colombians performed was delightful", wrote Der Standard after the 2022 tour, during which the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia also made a guest appearance in Freiburg - as it did in 2019. As with the last visit, a formation of the young musicians will perform in the foyer after the concert - this time with a musical birthday greeting to the Albert concerts.

Program:
Lalo, Rhapsodie Espagnole
Stravinsky, The Firebird

Instrumentation:
María Dueñas, violin
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Filarmónica Joven de Colombia

With the kind support of the Freunde und Förderer der Albert Konzerte e.V.

EUR 99,- / 89,- / 75,- / 57,- / 47,- incl. fees
In the ABO: EUR 78,10 / 74,- / 63,80 / 48,70 / 41,20

María Dueñas | Photo © Sonja Müller