CRISTINA FAUS, mezzo-soprano

 

Cristina Faus was born in Valencia, where she undertook singing studies with Professor Ana Luisa Chova, and graduated with honours. She attended advanced courses on repertoire and performance with Elena Obratzowa, Renata Escotto, Montserrat Caballé, Robert Expert y Miguel Zanetti, among other.

 

In February 2003 she made her debut performing the role of Cenerentola in La Cenerentola of Rossini with the La Fenice Orchestra in the Italian Comunale Teatro in Treviso.

 

Among her opera repertoire she has performed the role of Dorabella in Cosí  fan Tutte (Mozart); Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart); Niclausse in Hoffman Tails (Offenbach); Ruggiero in Alcina (Haendel); Marina in Il Burbero di buon cuore (Martin and Soler), etc.

 

As a Lied, opera, zarzuela (Spanish operetta) and oratorio interpreter, she has also performed in both Spain and Italy.

She has worked with prestigious professors like Antoni Ros Marbá, Giancarlo Andreetta, Josep Caballé, E. Garcia Asensio and Ralf Waikert, among others.

 

 

JUAN RAMÓN PÉREZ, recorder

 

He was born in Cuenca in 1963. He obtains his degree on Music and Recorder at Royal Conservatoire of Music in Madrid with highest marks.

 

He has been given post-graduated classes related to different styles in the history of that instrument: medieval, renaissance, baroque and 20th century. He was student of concert players in Antique Music as Álvaro Marías, Ricardo Kanji, Baldrik Deeremberg and Jordi Savall among others.

 

Along these years, he has been member of Trio de Música Clásica La Tarantela and the Trío de Música Antigua Il Dolcimelo. Now he takes part in Accademia Arcadia (Baroque) and Sforzinda (Renaissance flute sextet). He has been teacher of music in Secondary School.

 

 

MIGUEL IZQUIERDO, violin

 

He was born in Gandia in 1984. He started playing the violin at the age of 8 in Maestro Valdovín School. When he was 13, he went on with his studies in the Professional Tenor Cortís Conservatoire in Dénia. He finished his violin high studies in the Superior Music Conservatory of Valencia with Professor Anabel García Del Castillo. He undertook diverse advanced courses and master classes with Santiago Juan, Serguei Teslia, Katalin Sébéstien, Vicente Huerta, Rasvan Neculai, Victor Martín, etc. He has been member of both the Generalitat Valenciana Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Catalonia. He’s been invited to take part in several orchestras like the European Philharmonic Orchestra and Castelló Symphony Orchestra. He’s been a member of several chamber groups, as well as member of the OMA since its beginning. At present he is becoming a specialized viola player.

 

 

PILAR MARÍN, viola

 

Pilar Marín was born in Denia in 1984. At the age of 6 she began her studies at Denia Artistic and Musical Association. She finished her higher studies of music, obtaining the highest marks in both special fields clarinet and viola at the Castellón Conservatory.

 

She has undertaken diverse advanced viola courses under the guidance of international professors: Enrique García Asensio, Leopoldo Hager, K.Penderecki, M.Rostropovich, etc.

 

She’s been finalist at the fifth edition of the Contest for Young Performers “Ruperto Chapí” in Villena (2003) and at the second National Contest for Young Performers of Llíria (2006). Second prize at the III Concurso de Jóvenes “Vila de Berxí” (2004).

 

She’s been a member of the following orchestras: Marina Alta Orchestra, Comunidad Valenciana Orchestra, Spain Nacional Orchestra, “Orquesta Mundial de Juventudes Musicales” and Països Catalans Orchestra. At present, she is member of the Valencia Symphonic Orchestra, and she’s undertaken postgraduate studies with Ashan Pillai at Catalonia’s Superior Music school.

 

 

L’ALMODÍ CHAMBER CHOIR

 

It was founded in 2002, and its members are ten young non-professional singers most of them members of the choral society Orfeó Universitari de València. They have a wide choral experience as members of the Generalitat Valenciana Choir and the choral society Orfeó Valencià Navarro Reverter.

 

They have attended some specialized courses under David Van Asch and Kym Amps, both members of the prestigious choral group The Scholars.

 

They have performed all around Valencia sponsored by Bancaixa.

 

Apart from this, they have recorded versions of today’s songs as well as musical theatre.

 

L’Almoadí Chamber choir performs a wide repertoire, which consists of two parts. First, performing pieces from different periods and styles of the history of music. And the second, dealing with more popular compositions. In this way they try to reach any type of audiences.

 

 

OSCAR PAYÁ, choirmaster

 

He was born in Enguera (Valencia) in 1979. He studied to become a choirmaster in Joaquin Rodrigo conservatory in Valencia with Eduardo Cifre and Mª Pilar Vaño.

 

As a chorister, he’s been a member of the choral society Orfeó Universitari de València, the Schola Cantorum of Algemesí (Valencia) and the Generalitat Valenciana Choir. He has attended some specialized courses under Johan Djuick, Laszlo Heltay, Martin Schmidt, José Ramón Gil-Tárrega and Juan Luis Martínez.

 

Nowadays he is the choirmaster of several choirs like Cor Ciutat de Burjassot, Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Valencia (Valencia Bar Association) and L’Almoadí Chamber Choir. He has collaborated as assistant director of the choral society Orfeó Universitari de València.

 

 

ARTURO BARBA, organ

 

Born in Valencia, he studied piano and chamber music at the Conservatory of Valencia with highest marks on both. He undertook specialized piano courses with Luca Chiantore, J.Achúcarro and D. Bashkirov, among others.

 

He started organ studies led by Professor Vicente Ros. Nowadays, Arturo Barba is attending advanced studies with the above mentioned professor.

 

He has given numerous recitals in the Valencian region, and he has undertaken advanced organ courses under the guidance of R. Alessandrini, M. Torrent, E. Kooiman and G. Iotti.

 

In October 2004 Arturo Barba made his first appearance with the Mare Nostrum Symphony Orchestra performing works of W.A. Mozart for piano and orchestra at “Palau de la Música” of Valencia.

 

In 2006, he obtained his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Valencia. He is a piano teacher at the Professional Music Conservatory of Valencia.

 

 

ELIZABETH WALLFISCH, violin

 

The violin gives Elizabeth Wallfisch a voice not only as a prominent interpreter of baroque and classical repertoire but also as the instrument of an inspiring leader and director.

 

She is in demand world-wide both as soloist on period instruments and as leader directing from her instrument. Her playing has taken her from the Lincoln Center in New York, where she led the Orchestra of the Enlightenment in the opening concert of the 2003 Handel Festival, to Zimbabwe, where she appeared as soloist with the Harare Symphony Orchestra in a rendition of Brahms’ Violin Concerto. She has appeared with and directed Les Musiciens de Louvre, Tafelmusik, Apollo’s Fire, L’Orfeo Barokorchester, Hanover Band, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and many others. For 15 years she has been the concert master of the prestigious Carmel Bach Festival in California. In January 2007 she was the Music Director of National Music Camp Australia.

 

Elizabeth Wallfisch’s long and impressive discography offers a window onto her expansive musical world. From the High Baroque Italian violinist composers such as Vivaldi, Corelli, Veracini, Tartini, Geminiani and the Classical and Romantic greats from Mozart to Mendelssohn, she also embraces the music of their lesser known contemporaries such as Myslivek and Abel.

 

Elizabeth Wallfisch’s energy is greatly prized by her students at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. So far she has published one treatise, specifically on fundamental aspects of baroque violin playing: The Art of Playing Chin-Off for the Brave and the Curious,_published by King’s Music.

 

 

JOSEP VICENT GINER, organ

 

He is an organ and harpsichord player born in Denia. He studied with teachers Rynko Ottes, Javier Artigues, Josep Mª Mas i Bonet and Michael Radulescu. He finished his studies of high level with the highest marks, among them, a special award at the end of the degree, the academic grade “Magister Artium” of the University of Vienna with the qualification “cum laude“ and the award “Premi al Mèrit Artístic del Ministeri de Ciència i Cultura Austríac”.

 

He regularly offers concerts in the Iberian Peninsula as well as Europe, both as organ and harpsichord player with programmes of renaissance, baroque, romantic, chamber and contemporary music (playing for the first time works of Amando Blanquer, Gordon Lawson and Josef Lammerz). As visitor teacher he teaches seminars and courses of interpretation. He is organ professor of the Conservatory in Valencia.

 

 

EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

 

The European Union Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1981 with players from the member states of the European Union. The Orchestra lays an emphasis on giving unique opportunities and experience to young musicians at the outset of their professional careers.

 

An acknowledged Cultural Ambassador for the European Union, EUCO enjoys an annual schedule of some 70 concerts worldwide and a reputation for musical excellence. Performances have included those in the presence of its Patron, HM Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Noor of Jordan, the King and Queen of Belgium and Princess Galyani of Thailand.

 

The European Union Chamber Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the European Union budget line : "Support to organisations which promote European culture"

 

 

MARCUS STRÜMPE

 

Marcus Strümpe was born in Herborn (Germany) in 1967. He studied at the Folkwang Superior Music School in Essen and in the Superior Music School in Trossingen. From 1990 until 1993 he was assistant of the War Prof. Ralf Otto in Essen. He undertook specialised courses with Sergiu Celibidache and Frieder Bernius.

 

As organist, he studies with Gerd Zacher and Christoph Bossert, and attends specialized  courses on organ with Ewald Kooiman, Michael Radulescu and Jon Laukvik. He has been the organist of important Churches in Germany, such as the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche of Berlin, Cathedral of Ulm, Cathedral of Erfurt, etc.

 

In 1994, he was appointed Kantor of Pauluskirche in Duisburg. He has been the organist of the new Kuhn organ of Salvatorkirche, the main Church of Duisburg since 1992. In addition, he is the chorusmaster of the Duisburg Philarmonic Chorus and member of the comission to build the new organ for the Mercatorhalle Philarmonic of Daisburg.

 

 

JULIÁN ORBÓN ORCHESTRA

 

The Youth Orchestra was founded in 1997 on the initiative of the “Asociación Musical Julián Orbón” with the challenge of filling the void between the conservatory orchestra and the professional ones. It tries to pay great attention to both individual improvement and teamwork. Because of its learning value, its repertoire comprises works from all periods and styles, as well as giving première performances of works by contemporary composers.

 

Its members are encouraged, as far as possible, to develop soloist within the orchestra for already scheduled pieces. The orchestra has been the birthplace for many professional musicians.

 

On November 1997, the Youth Orchestra Julian Orbón was awarded with the UCAYC 1997 for the promotion of Avilés by the Unión de Comerciantes de Avilés (Aviles Employers Association).

 

The orchestra always performs symphonic-choral pieces in the “Semanas de Música Religiosa” of Avilés, broadcasted by RNE, Radio Clásica.

 

It has played concerts in Spain, as well as in Europe. The orchestra conductor is José María Martínez.

 

 

JOSE MARÍA MARTÍNEZ, conductor

 

He’s got a degree in Romance language from Oviedo University. He studied classic guitar, piano, organ, composition and orchestra conducting with Antón García Abril (composition) Manuel Galduff (orchestra conducting) and Miguel Del Barco (organ). He improved his orchestra conducting techniques with Rob Marbá, Erwin List and Helmut Rilling.

 

Since 1977 he has conducted the Polyphonic Chorale from Avilés, as well as the “Semana de Música Religiosa” of Avilés, performing symphonic-choral pieces broadcasted by Radio 2.

 

Since 1980, he has been running the Kulián Orbón Professional Conservatory in Aviles, founding its orchestra in 1982. He has also conducted other chorus and orchestras in several Spanish cities as well as in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Moscow.

 

In 1997 he was appointed director of the Organ Festival of Asturias.

 

He has been music advisor for both the Culture Department of the Principality of Asturias and the Prince of Asturias Foundation. He was co-founder of the Asturias Association Friends of the Organ. For ten years, he has been vocal of the Board Administration of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias.

 

In 1989 he was awarded with the Medal of Honour in Fine Arts awarded by the Ministry of Culture, and in 1994 he received the Albéniz Institute of New York award.

 

He has been the head of the Julián Orbón Orchestra since its foundation.

 

 

CABANILLES TRIO

 

This group is formed by Miguel Cerezo, trumpet professor in the Professional Conservatory of Torrent, and Raúl Junquera, professor of the Banda Municipal de Valencia, and the organist Vicente Ros, professor of organ and spinet at the Superior Conservatory of Valencia.

 

Their professionalism, quality and experience has joined them in order to form this trio that deals with a wide repertoire of different periods, but focusing on baroque period from different European schools, as well as on investigating almost unknown baroque sources and Hispanic classicism, showing signs of it in their concerts.

 

Regardless of their concerts, they are concentrated on the recording of a CD with revived pieces from our archives, along with a revised and suitable edition of some of these pieces.