Venezuelan Talent in Austria:
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Conductor from Barquisimeto and Venezuelan Virtuosi Shine in Historic European Concert
„Rodrigo 125 & Strobl Rediscovered“
European classical music paid tribute this Saturday, April 11, to the excellence of Venezuelan talent. The magnificent halls of the Joseph Haydn Private University (Joseph Haydn Privathochschule) in the Austrian city of Eisenstadt served as the venue for the grand closing concert of the 3rd Guitar Symposium, a historic evening shaped by the brilliance of four outstanding Venezuelan musicians.
For this demanding musical engagement, a high-level orchestral ensemble was assembled, bringing together instrumentalists from Vienna, Germany, and Spain, alongside a select group of Venezuelan artists who proudly represented their country in one of Europe’s most significant musical settings.
The concert was conducted by Venezuelan conductor Jesús Olivetti, originally from Barquisimeto and currently active as principal conductor of orchestral projects in Munich. He joined this important event as guest conductor, leading the international ensemble.
Venezuelan presence was strongly felt throughout the evening. The featured soloist was Gabriel Guillén, internationally recognized as one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, who demonstrated remarkable artistry before the Austrian audience.
The ensemble was led from the concertmaster’s desk by Igor García, a distinguished Venezuelan violinist currently based in Vienna, where he continues to develop his successful international career. The project also included acclaimed Venezuelan musician Kevin Merchán, whose performance was praised alongside his European colleagues.
A program of world premieres and tributes
Under the title “Rodrigo 125 & Strobl Rediscovered”, the program demanded exceptional artistic maturity and featured the world premiere of two important works: the Concertino für Gitarre by Austrian composer Otto Strobl—a previously unpublished work recently discovered in his personal archive—and Guitar Concerto No. 3 by Slovenian composer and guitarist Nejc Kuhar.
The emotional climax of the evening came with a tribute marking the 125th anniversary of Joaquín Rodrigo’s birth. In the presence of his daughter, Cecilia Rodrigo, who delivered the opening remarks, the orchestra performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez.
The evening in Eisenstadt reaffirmed the prestige of the 3rd Guitar Symposium and left a lasting impression, once again confirming Venezuelan musicians as artists of the highest international level on some of the world’s most demanding stages.
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