Santander Encounter of Music and Academy

Cantabria and the city of Santander host the Santander Encounter of Music and Academy, and offer their best scenarios at the service of this wonderful educational and musical project, a one-of-a-kind international event in the world years Santander Encounter of Music and Academy

CANTABRIA 2001—2021

Paloma O’Shea Founding President of the Albéniz Foundation

he Santander Music and Academy Encounter was born alongside the beginning of this century. I had visited Tanglewood Music School in Massachusetts, led by Leon Fleisher, and saw that the concepts of a Tsummer music festival and an academy merged there with a level of perfection that was difficult to achieve in Europe. At the same time, there was an increasingly evident gap in the music season in Santander and the entire region. With these two realities in mind, the Albéniz Foundation designed the Encounter of Music and Academy, and offered it to the Government of Cantabria. Their response was immediate and positive and, since then, both entities promote the project side by side each year. For its part, the Santander City Council enthusiastically joined the initiative. In addition, the Menéndez Pelayo International University, the University of Cantabria, and many private companies in the region decided to collaborate on a project that, from the onset, enjoyed the public’s favor. During these years, the Encounter has hosted top international academic experts and performers of each instrument. Their names are included in this book, but I would like to remember here one who was the soul of the Encounter every time he came: our dear Professor Dmitri Bashkirov, who has just left us. Successive generations of young musicians from the best schools in Europe have been coming to Santander to work with him and with other great artists of the Encounter. Each year, Maestro Péter Csaba, the Artistic Director of the Encounter, travels to select, one by one, these extraordinary young musicians in auditions. During the concerts, when professors play chamber music pieces with the young performers participating in the Encounter, we bear witness to musical moments of an unusual intensity. The pages that follow show how, over these years, we have fulfilled the objectives we had set: Supporting young musicians, bringing music closer to people, enriching the musical offer of the region and, above all, strengthening the position of Santander and Cantabria as places of reference in the international musical scene. I would like to thank the Government of Cantabria and, very especially its President, Miguel Ángel Revilla and its Vice-President and Regional Minister of Universities, Equality, Culture and Sports, Pablo Zuloaga, as well as the City of Santander, led by its Mayor, Gema Igual, the magnificent rectors of the two universities, María Luz Morán and Ángel Pazos, as well as the individuals and companies who have joined the Encounter family. I encourage everyone to persevere in this project for the benefit of young people and music culture. Miguel Ángel Revilla, President of Cantabria

Culture and awareness

antabria’s heritage embraces all senses. It transcends the material and rises to the spiritual order when the primary sound of Nature, and its poetic interpretation in the form of music, emerge from its Cmountainous landscapes, valleys, and coast. Cantabria is proud of its musical tradition, the result of a generous vocation in all the cultural and artistic disciplines, as prolific as the rain that revitalizes our landscapes. Although expressed in the personal traits of each people, music is, first and foremost, a universal language that unites men and women from all five continents. Since the beginning of this century, Cantabria’s musical heritage has been further enhanced thanks to the Encounter of Music and Academy that now marks its 20th anniversary. This Autonomous Community embraced, from day one, this extraordinary cultural initiative, knowing that it was a sure bet to promote this land as a musical international benchmark. The Encounter of Music and Academy is today, 20 years later, one of our greatest cultural flagships. An extraordinary opportunity to boost the great musical talents of the future in our region, and to do so hand in hand with the most renowned contemporary masters. And at the same time, it is a unique occasion to enjoy Music, in capitals, in all corners of our geography. I cannot stress enough the enormous work of the Albéniz Foundation and the commitment and dedication of its President, Paloma O’Shea, in favor of musical culture and the promotion of young talented musicians. And I will never stop thanking her for her contribution to the cultural growth of Cantabria. Gema Igual Mayor of Santander

or 20 years, the city has been flooded with the best music, thus extending the cultural prestige of Santander throughout the world, and enriching the life of its residents. FFor the city of Santander, the Encounter of Music and Academy, together with the FIS and the academic activity of the UIMP, embody the most important and attractive cultural offer of the summer season, and are a reference for the whole country. An event that affords this city unrivalled prestige and quality. I do not think there is another place in the world that hosts, for such a limited time, the greatest artists and the best professionals in the music world. For the City Council it is an honour to host part of the development of this En- counter, not only because it promotes the city outside our borders, but because it reaffirms the city’s commitment to the dissemination and empowerment of cultural activities, from the smallest to the most relevant, such as this Encounter, which undoubtedly is our greatest Feast of Music, in capital letters. The Encounter provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for its participants, but it is also a chance for the people of Santander, Cantabria and all the people who visit us during these dates, as it offers the possibility to attend unforgettable music events, hand in hand with the best talents and professionals at the international level. Culture offers a necessary and important lifeline for society; it helps achieve balance, humanity, sensitivity, and presents us with points of union and identity. Therefore, I encourage locals and visitors to make the most of this cultural win- dow that will boost the city and motivate citizens to go out and enjoy good music in emblematic landmarks of Santander. Julia Sánchez Abeal CEO - Albéniz Foundation

t is often said that music brings people together and contributes to the cohesion of communities. The Encounter of Music and Academy has been uniting and conducting “encounters” of various kinds for twenty years. IEvery summer, throughout the month of July, this gathering that combines music education and performance with the participation of young musicians and their peers from all over Europe, as well as with the most experienced and prestigious professors of the international scene, takes place. Furthermore, the Encounter is a common ground where musicians meet with spectators and, so do the public authorities with civil society, in one of the achievements that seem to me particularly significant of this project. It is not common for public and private entities to work together with this degree of effectiveness and mutual trust, in favor of an objective that truly deserves it, such as putting the best music within the reach of all, and supporting the creativity of young people. I believe that the heads of the Regional Government provide a magnificent example in this regard every year, and the same applies to the members of Santander City Council, and the municipality and entities that host the concerts. Both the Albéniz Foundation, as well as the companies and individuals that support the Encounter are very proud of this public-private partnership. The impact of the Encounter on society is mainly concentrated in moments of musical magic that, thanks to the artistic and organizational talent of Maestro Péter Csaba, take place every afternoon in the two halls of the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, and in 100 venues throughout the region, but its impact is also shown in its figures: through free or very affordable concerts, we have reached 335,000 spectators to this date, in addition to the thousands who have followed the 100 concerts that we have broadcast in live streaming. We have also had more than 1,000,000 visits to our website. If we add the concerts for families and the “Enjoy the Music” workshops, I think we are fulfilling the objective of bringing music closer to everyone. The Encounter has also managed to ensure that 1,260 international musicians link their memory of Santander and Cantabria to the initial years of their careers. I think it is, in fact, encouraging that 51% of them are women. Moreover, the Encounter has taken the name of this city and this region outside our borders, when the Encounter’s Orchestra visited Santiago de Compostela, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, the Monastery of El Escorial, and the Museum of Evolution in Burgos. Those of us who are convinced of the transformative power of culture and, in particular, of music, welcome the impact welcome the impact of the Encounter and hope to make it even more intense in the future. Maestro Péter Csaba Artistic Director of the Encounter

20 YEARS OF THE FEAST OF MUSIC

he wonderful city of Santander, the beautiful and soft atmosphere of Cantabria, the friendly and warm ways of its people, have welcomed our music and our presence for more than 20 years. This backdrop provides the best scene and Tenvironment for such a musical happening, now known as one of the best festivals of this kind in the international music scene. I feel that the Santander Music and Academy Encounter have become an important part of the cultural identity of the city and the whole region. Our festival conquered the heart of people. The event is expected and followed by a large public, and music lovers. The Encounter was born and grew thanks to Ms. Paloma O’Shea, who made huge efforts to create and continue the build-up of the event. She has an eminent role in the development of music education and music life in Spain. Classical music is a treasure of humanity and must live on and be spread among people and the next generations. Music is vital for the human soul and for the development of human personality. For an important period of my artistic life –as conductor, violinist, professor, or director of different music institutions or festivals–, I have helped and guided young musicians to understand the importance of their role and their engagement. In 2001, I was invited to conduct the orchestra of the very first edition of the Encounter, an invitation which I accepted with pleasure. After the concert, I had a very interesting and convincing talk with Paloma O’Shea. She proposed me to join her for this big, difficult, but great project, and take over the position of Director of the Encounter. The Encounter means each year an average of 60 concerts, 80 young musicians from 26 countries, 14 great artistic personalities and composers. The administration logistics of the Foundation represents a solid foundation for our activities. The support of the Region of Cantabria and the City of Santander is also primordial, as are the help and support of different sponsors and institutions. The will and belief of Paloma facilitate the continuation of the project, despite the difficult and troubled times of these last months. I am sure that this momentum will make this edition of the 20 Anniversary a very successful one. We have had so many great and unforgettable moments: I remember Sofía Gubaidulina, playing one of her compositions with the young participants under my baton, at the Palacio de Festivales, on an instrument created by her, called “aquaphone”. I cannot forget the Mozart’s Concert performed by Menahem Pressler, the unbelievable teachings of Alicia de Larrocha and Dmitri Bashkirov, the voice and teachings of Teresa Berganza, the music and sound advice of Krzysztof Penderecki, the natural simplicity of Fou T’song, the elegance of Jesús López Cobos, the music of Péter Eötvös and Luis de Pablo, the enthusiasm and wonderful words of appreciation regarding Mozart’s Così fan tutte conducted by Teresa Berganza, with costumes by Christian Lacroix, the 48-hour trip of the Encounter’s Orchestra to the Salle Pleyel in Paris, and the joy and warm words of Enrique Franco regarding our presentation of Manuel de Falla’s El Retablo de Maese Pedro. I also remember my daughter Anna who, from the age of 9, grew up with the Encounter, listening to most of the concerts. Today, she is a participant like all the others, and enjoys the music, friendship, and sincerity of playing with her peers. Many young musicians started their careers in Santander, meeting and being influenced by famous artists, but also getting to know young colleagues with whom they keep contact and continue to play together, creating different musical events and musical groups years after their participation. Many of them won important prizes in the most prestigious international competitions; some became professionals in important musical institutions, such as the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College in London, the Universität der Künste, and Hanns Eisler in Berlin, the Liszt Academy in Budapest, etc. Many of them hold important positions in many of the best orchestras abroad, and others became international soloists: Pablo Ferrández, Denis Kozhukhin, Antoine Tamestit, Marc Bouchkov, Júlia Pusker, Adrien Boisseau, Clara Andrada... These are names which we often hear in the international music scene. We can feel proud, and I particularly feel very proud, of all these results and unique moments from more than 1,000 concerts, more than 3,000 pieces performed by more than 1,200 young musicians in more than 100 stages in Cantabria. Thank you, Paloma for your confidence in me to help and guide all these talented youngsters in this wonderful place that you love so much. I wish a long and successful life to the Encounter in the future. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Índice

12 The Encounter in Figures

14 In these 20 years...

20 The Academy. Guest Professors and Masterclasses

26 The Stage. Guest Conductors and composers-in-residence

32 Participants and chamber ensembles

38 Partner European schools

39 Venues

40 Sponsors

41 Board of Trustees of the Center for Musical Studies of Santander 2021

42 Special moments

Rona Tavior, viola Image of the first edition of the Encounter in 2001 The Encounter in Figures

THE ACADEMY

91 9 international international professors guest conductors

1,260 7 composers-in- 43 string quartets and young musicians residence and 2,000 chamber from 15 guest artists ensembles 60 countries

THE STAGE 355,000 spectators More than 100 venues in Santander 1,110 and Cantabria, El Escorial, concerts in various modalities: Burgos, Santiago de recitals, chamber music and orchestral Compostela and Paris ensembles (Ensembles, Sinfonietta, Camerata, chamber and symphonic)

12 PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS

2 26 Projects with the European Partner and Commission’s Culture Collaborating Programme: “Concertando” European schools and “Euroclassical” More than 120 public and private sponsors

VISIBILITY More than 100 concerts broadcast 1,009,542 in streaming visits to the website (Since 2008) 7,000 mentions on cantabrian, national and international media

13 In these 20 years...

2001 The Santander Encounter of Music and Academy, a pioneering and one-of-a-kind project in the world that brings together the most renowned professors of each instrument and young musicians of great talent from all over Europe, was born from the need to renew the “Summer Courses in Santander”. It features an academic-artistic programme of the highest level and serves as an artistic platform for participants to show their talent on stage. Great

Mozart’s Così fan tutte by Mozart success of the staging of Mozart’s Così fan tutte, under the musical direction of Antoni Ros-Marbà, preparation of the singers by Teresa Berganza, 2002 and stage direction by Vincent Boussard. More than 100 students selected from European schools and 15 internationally recognized professors joined Santander’s great summer cultural offer, in 70 concerts with a varied musical repertoire performed by soloists, as well as by orchestra and chamber ensembles. Edition dedicated to Beethoven, in which the Sonatas for Piano and Violin complete series Participants of the Encounter, 2002 were particularly noteworthy. 2003 The interest in contemporary music was reinforced with the incorporation of the figure of the Composer- in-Residence. The great Russian Professor, Sofia Gubaidulina, one of the most admired creators of our time, worked intensely on her music with the participants for ten days, and showed their work first-hand to the public.

14 2004 The Encounter advanced the celebrations of the “Cervantes Year” by programming Manuel de Falla’s El retablo de Maese Pedro, coinciding with the 399th anniversary of Don Quixote. The result was a brand new Cervantes, which included singers, the orchestra, and a puppet theater in an exceptional concert. The presence of the Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha and her valuable lessons to young artists was Symphony Orchestra of the also one of the highlights of this edition. Encounter. Conductor: Péter Csaba 2005 2006 Maestro Péter Csaba, our Artistic This edition afforded great importance to Director, set up a musical repertoire in ensemble, chamber and orchestra music. which composer Wolfgang Amadeus Its programming revolved around three Mozart was the great protagonist, musical poles: Bartók and the musical in commemoration of his 250th Hungary, the Commemoration of the Anniversary. His music was present in 100th birthday of Shostakóvich, and the many of the concerts held, as well as in sound universe of Franz Schubert. String the masterclasses. Russian Professor Quartets from the newly inaugurated Vladimir Ashkenazy led the Symphony International Institute of Chamber Music Orchestra of the Encounter from of Madrid participated for the first time. the piano at the inaugural concert. 2007 A very special concert commemorated the 25th anniversary of Arthur Rubinstein’s passing, and there was also a special memory for Maurice Ravel. It featured the wonderful chamber music of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and some of the pieces of the quartets’ repertoire with romantic pianos. Maestro John Corigliano, one of the most important American composers today, visited the Encounter as a composer-in-residence.

Maestro Csaba, composer John Corigliano, and violinist Roberto González 15 2008 Each July, the Encounter becomes a common meeting place for young talents and artists already recognised in the international scene. In its eighth edition, our best music continued to move closer to Cantabria, and also visited the legendary Salle Pleyel in Paris. There, the French audience had the opportunity to learn about the work of the Encounter, embodied by the Freixenet Symphony

Paloma O’Shea, professors and participants Orchestra, under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy. at the 2009 Encounter 2009 2010 The twelve numbers of the The Festival celebrated its 10th masterpiece Iberia were performed anniversary with the world premiere by ten pianists in a tribute concert of A la memoria de… by the Spanish to the famous composer and composer Luis de Pablo, with the Spanish pianist, Isaac Albéniz. presence of Hungarian Maestro The “Albéniz Year”, dedicated to Zoltán Kocsis, leading the Freixenet the commemoration of his 100th Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter anniversary, was present throughout from the piano. Launch of the platform the Festival’s programme, classicalplanet.com, which included including the inaugural concert. masterclasses, concerts and live music.

2011 The inaugural concert was performed by the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra, led by Péter Csaba, and two outstanding soloists: Soprano Laia Falcón and pianist Denis Kozhukhin, winner of the Reine Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, and a familiar face to the public, after having attended all the previous editions of the Encounter as a student and who, on this occasion, participated as a guest artist. Laia Falcón, soprano

16 2012 Santander in Europe. Start of the European project “EUROCLASSICAL”, with partner European schools to promote and disseminate classical music. For the first time, the Encounter’s most outstanding performances are streamed from the Classicalplanet.com platform. The recitals and the chamber performances of the First and Second phases of Paloma O’Shea’s International Piano Competition of Santander were held in the framework of the Encounter. Audiovisual team of the Albéniz Foundation 2013 Excellent program of concerts, and a list of professors of the highest international level, as usual. Among those coming for the first time to the Encounter, was the recent winner of the Yehudi Menuhin Prize to the Integration of Arts and Education, the great pianist Menahem Pressler, and the Menahem Pressler American soprano Helen Donath. 2014 Virtually all participants had the opportunity to join the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter to work on Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, with conductor Jesús López Cobos. In addition, a masterpiece of Prokofiev’s pedagogical repertoire, Peter and the Wolf, performed by Camerata Viesgo and conducted by Maestro Péter Csaba was presented to families, and especially to children and the youth. Concert for families. Camerata Viesgo

17 2015 Celebration of the 25 years in Santander of the great violin master, Zakhar Bron, with several concerts with him as protagonist. Several anniversaries of great composers such as Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Paganini and Martinů were also commemorated, together with the presentation of masterpieces ranging from Bach’s musical repertoire to contemporary composers.

Zakhar Bron 2016 One of the most important composers of our time, Krzysztof Penderecki, led the orchestra in two historical and unpublished concerts, in Santander and El Escorial, where they performed the new version of his Symphony No. 3 Adagio, arranged for the occasion, and the Concert for French Horn and Orchestra, Winterreise, performed by Radovan Vlatković as soloist.

Krzysztof Penderecki and the Symphony 2017 Orchestra of the Encounter Edition dedicated to the great pianist and educator, Dmitri Bashkirov, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, in which 2018 the Del Valle Duo excelled in the four-hand performance At the Centro Botín, composer of Francis Poulenc’s Concert for two pianos and orchestra. and director Fabián Panisello conducted the Ensemble of the Encounter, with contemporary works by Schönberg, Boulez and Berio, in homage to the architect Renzo Piano. The inaugural concert was led by Maestro Juanjo Mena, who conducted the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra, and the young Asturian pianist, Martín García.

Centro Botín 18 2019 An edition that stood out in view of the high level of the participants selected from the best European schools, the variety and richness of the repertoire programmed by Artistic Director Péter Csaba, the presence of the great composer and director, Péter Eötvös, and the great quality of the masterclasses with top musicians of unrivaled international prestige. This edition also featured the programming of the “Enjoy Richard Watkins, French horn the Music” workshop, and open sessions with Professors Eötvös and Csaba and the audience. 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Encounter. The Albéniz Foundation, in line with its mission to bring music closer to society and promote culture organised, during the month of July, in collaboration with the Government of Cantabria and the City of Santander and other regional entities, a special programme under the name “Re-Encounter”, Globo Ensemble which included various activities and concerts, adapted to the enforceable health limitations. 2021 The 20th anniversary of the Santander Music and Academy Encounter will include a very special programme designed to provide, once again, the best musical offer for classical music lovers. This edition will be especially dedicated to Beethoven, on the occasion of the 250+1 anniversary of his birth, and will feature the world premiere of the piece Old Man Asleep for soprano and ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle. Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter 19

The Academy. Guest professors and masterclasses

The Santander Encounter of Music and Academy has brought together every July in the last twenty years, important professors of enormous international prestige to teach and share their knowledge to young European talents. Both participants and professors work, not only in the classroom, but also share the stage with the public. The idea stems from the “Summer Courses” in Santander, a series of individual academic classes taught by great musicians and educators, organised by the Reina Sofia School of Music and the Albéniz Foundation, in collaboration with the UIMP, in the years where the Paloma O’Shea International Piano Competition of Santander didn’t take place. In a short span of time, these courses became the Encounter, a project of exceptional relevance and uniqueness, with the same objectives and principles of the School: supporting the most talented young musicians in their personal and artistic development, and bringing the best music to all audiences. The differentiating feature of the Festival is the opportunity offered to participants to work with great international figures who share their musical experience with them, favoring a truly exceptional environment of musical exchange. This coexistence starts in the morning, in the classrooms of the Jesús del Monasterio Professional Conservatory of Music (Santander), with masterclasses and rehearsals, and is completed in the evening, on stage at different venues in Santander and Cantabria, with a musical programme that offers a unique cultural selection for for classical music lovers and the general public each summer. Péter Csaba, Maestro and Artistic Director of the Encounter, has managed to successfully combine, year after year, all these elements to set up an academic programme and an artistic repertoire of great interest to both the participants and the public, giving special attention to the presence of musicians of the highest international level as guest professors, among whom are pianists Dmitri Bashkirov, Vitaly Margulis; or the winners of the Yehudi Menuhin Prize for the Integration of Arts and Education, Alicia de Larrocha and Menahem Pressler; the great international singers, Helen Donath, Teresa Berganza or Francisco Araiza; cellists Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Frans Helmerson or Natalia Shakhovshaya; violinists Silvia Marcovici, Luis García Asensi, Zakhar Bron, or Rainer Schmidt, one of the best international string quartets professors.

Ivan Monighetti and participant of the 2011 Encounter

21 Throughout the last twenty years, the academic activity has focused on masterclasses in violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, piano, voice, harp, string quartets, piano groups, and orchestra, given by a cast of more than one hundred guest professors, and instrument accompanying pianists, and repertoire*. In addition to the individual instrument classes, the Encounter has given special attention and importance to chamber or ensemble music, whether in chamber groups or in orchestral formations such as ensembles, cameratas, or chamber or symphony orchestras, because in addition to featuring a very attractive repertoire and being highly educational, it favors a particularly enriching type of interaction amongst musicians. Some professors are also entrusted the management of groups of different size, almost always playing their instrument themselves together with young participants. There have been many unforgettable moments shared by the Encounter’s professors and students, as a result of their work before the audience, as one of the most special concerts held in the framework of the Encounter, offered by the Chamber Orchestra of the Encounter, conducted by Maestro Péter Csaba, where the great German pianist, Menahem Pressler, performed Mozart’s Concert No. 17 as soloist, or Schubert’s Salve Regina sung by the soprano Helen Donath. We also keep a fond memory of the concert with the Swedish cellist, Frans Helmerson, who took the baton to lead the String Ensemble of the Encounter to perform The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juan by Finnish composer Aulis Sallinen in July 2005, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Cervantes’ masterpiece, one of the most highly recognised works of universal literature. Or the staging of Mozart’s opera Così fan Tutte with great reception by the audience, an event for which the singers were trained by the spanish mezzosoprano Teresa Berganza.

*The full list of all the musicians invited to the Encounter throughout these 20 years can be found at the end of the book.

1. Menahem Pressler / 2. Galina Eguiazarova / 3. Klaus Thunemann / 4. Tom Krause / 5. Michel Béroff / 6. David Guerrier / 7. Miguel da Silva / 8. Alicia de Larrocha / 9. Isabel Charisius / 10. Bruno Canino / 11. Gérard Caussé / 12. Ivan Monighetti / 13. Rainer Zepperitz / 14. Michel Arrignon / 15. Ana Chumachenco / 16. Alexander Rudin / 17. Teresa Berganza / 18. Ofelia Montalván, accompanying pianist / 19. Mihaela Martin / 20. Fou Ts´Ong / 21. Tsu- yoshi Tsutsumi / 22. Silvia Marcovici / 23. Radovan Vlatković / 24. Latica Honda-Rosenberg / 25. Frans Helmer- son / 26. Natalia Gutman / 27. Nobuko Imai / 28. Richard Watkins / 29. Iris Vermillion / 30. András Adorján / 31. Hansjörg Schellenberger / 32. Eduard Brunner / 33. Diemut Poppen

22 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

31 32 33 MEMORIES OF GUEST PROFESSORS OF THEIR I had the privilege of teaching at PARTICIPATION IN THE ENCOUNTER the Santander Music and Academy Encounter in 2009. It was wonderful Among the most beautiful moments of to share with other artists, my musical life, I remember with special committed musicians, and with affection when, in these Encounters, students with great talent, in an we prepared the opera Così fan tutte by environment devoted to exchanging Mozart. The singers gave life to a Mozart and creating music. filled with great style. We worked intensely, Fou Ts’ong, piano and chamber music but we also had a nice and fun time. Teresa Berganza, voice The intensity of the years when I participated as professor and performed, I am especially happy to have taken part especially with the students, bring very in the Santander Music and Academy vivid memories that I will never forget. Encounter. A very special cultural event Klaus Thunemann, bassoon and chamber music that makes Santander the true “City of Music”. All students are among the best young Ivan Monighetti, cello and chamber music professionals in the world, neatly selected by ears that never fail, those of its director, I think this is one of Paloma Péter Csaba.

O’Shea’s greatest achievements András Adorján, flute and chamber music in her desire to create a solid musical environment in a city that had favorable conditions Many congratulations to Paloma O’Shea on for exploring new possibilities the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the in educational and artistic Santander Music and Academy Encounter. activities, integrating them into I have wonderful memories of my visits. the social life of the region. Paul Neubauer, violin and chamber music

Zakhar Bron, violin and chamber music

I send my warmest congratulations to the How nice it is to have such a treasure Encounter of Santander and to my dear in Cantabria, which brightens up the friends Paloma O’Shea, and the Maestro region and it enriches so many young Péter Csaba for his incredible achievement (and not so young) musicians. with this magnificent Festival. I hope you keep going on for many years! We are all music! Eldar Nebolsin, piano and chamber music Frans Helmerson, cello and chamber music

24 I remember playing a Mozart On the occasion of the 20th concert with Master Csaba, and Anniversary of the Encounter of the Orchestra was a wonderfully Santander, I would like to express enriching and rewarding music my sincerest congratulations to experience. all those who have contributed

Menahem Pressler, piano and chamber music over the years to shape this unique institution, which has gained a leading place in the international I love going to Santander for the cultural scene. Encounter to learn and share Francisco Araiza, voice music with students, colleagues and the public. This is a truly inspirational place. Music, like all the arts, helps us Nobuko Imai, viola and chamber music live and survive. It also promotes the sharing of joy and emotion, thus inspiring and spreading The Encounter creates friendships happiness. All this has been among its participants, and encouraged and welcomed to a becomes a meeting point for great great extent by the Encounter known artists to teach the best of Santander, a long-lasting and possible lessons, discuss, play, and wonderful tradition. share a fantastic summer in this wonderful land. Márta Gulyás, piano and chamber music

Hansjörg Schellenberger, oboe and chamber music Every time I’ve had the pleasure of being part of the Encounter, Having been a professor several I’ve been impressed by the high times at the Santander Music and level of professionalism, dedication Academy Encounter, I can say that it and generosity with which both is unique… The musical atmosphere Paloma O’Shea and Péter Csaba of this place is passionate and plan every detail of this project. enthusiastic. Happy anniversary!

Michel Arrignon, clarinet and chamber music Mihaela Martin, violin and chamber music

It is one of the most important and prestigious festivals. I have always enjoyed my stay there and hope to return soon! Elisso Virsaladze, piano and chamber music

The Stage. Guest conductors and and composers-in-residence

Since its creation in 2001, the artistic programme of the Encounter includes an extensive selection of works that cater to all styles and periods of music, from Bach to Ligeti, from Boccherini to Guinjoan, to offer the public the possibility of witnessing a varied musical repertoire, performed by a wide selection of soloists and chamber and orchestral ensembles. A wide array of concerts of different musical modalities, from recitals to large orchestras, including duos, trios, string quartets, combinations with voice and different chamber ensembles. Each year, the Encounter affords its young participants the possibility to prepare solo performances, and the opportunity to be part of the various orchestral groups, as this represents one of the most enriching professional and personal experiences for any musician, and allows them to unfold all the musical facets faced by today’s artists, who increasingly need a more complex education to develop their challenging artistic careers. Maestro Péter Csaba, the Artistic Director of the Encounter, has been in charge, since the first edition of the festival, of directing the orchestral activity due to his important academic background, in addition to his artistic experience. He brings his extraordinary knowledge of the repertoire and great prestige as conductor and orchestral sound professor to this task. Both the musicians and the public have enjoyed, in these twenty years, certain extraordinary and truly special performances by the different orchestras of the Encounter, under the baton of great guest conductors of enormous international prestige, acclaimed as leading figures of their time, such as Antoni Ros-Marbà, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Zoltán Kocsis, Jesus López Cobos, Krzysztof Penderecki, Juanjo Mena, Péter Eötvös, Fabián Panisello or Péter Csaba himself. Indeed, Csaba has starred in countless special and unique concerts, leading the different orchestral groups of the Encounter (chamber and symphony orchestras, camerata or ensembles), with an enormous wealth and variety in his repertories, as well as the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter that performed, under his baton, Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony and Musorgsky/Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Or when he performed as violin soloist and conductor with the Encounter’s E.ON Camerata, Xavier Montsalvatge’s Concertino 1+13.

Péter Csaba, conductor; Iris Vermillion, mezzosoprano

27 Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy visited the Encounter twice. In 2005, he led, from the piano, the young musicians of the Encounter Symphony Orchestra at the inaugural concert at the Argenta Music Hall of the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, where they masterfully performed Mozart’s Don Giovanni’s Overture and Brahm’s Symphony No. 1. His second visit took place in 2008, and was marked by the international nature of the Encounter, with the trip of the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra to Paris, again under his baton, to perform at the Salle Pleyel, in a memorable concert in which he combined Mahler’s grandeur with Symphony No. 1 “Titan”, one of the most representative works of the violin repertoire. That same year, the Hungarian conductor and pianist, Sir András Schiff, also visited the Encounter. In addition to playing the piano works of Haydn and Bach, he took the baton to lead the Chamber Orchestra and shape Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 at the Closing concert. Likewise, Maestro Zoltán Kocsis brought to the Encounter his double career as a virtuoso pianist and recognized conductor. On this occasion, he showed his two skills simultaneously leading the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter from the piano, and he also offered a lecture on his Hungarian compatriot, musician Béla Bartók. Following the tradition of bringing the orchestra of the Encounter to other emblematic locations, as were in previous editions the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, and the Monastery of El Escorial, the acclaimed Spanish Maestro Jesús López Cobos starred, in 2014, in addition to the inaugural concert at the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, a concert at a venue as inspiring as the Fórum Evolución in Burgos. On both evenings, he led the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra with the Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony programme. The symphonic project traditionally opens the Encounter, and one of the top opening events in the Festival’s history was the orchestral concert led by Maestro Juanjo Mena, who conducted, on this occasion, the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra and the young Asturian pianist, Martín García, with works by Stravinski, Rachmaninov and Shostakóvich on the programme. The special sensitivity of the Encounter toward contemporary music, has led to present world premieres, and to welcome as composers-in-residence some of the most prestigious and important figures of the international composition scene of our time. In these twenty years, the Encounter has presented works composed

1. Krzysztof Penderecki / 2. Juanjo Mena / 3. John Corigliano and the Del Valle Duet / 4. Jesús López Cobos and Péter Csba / 5. Péter Csaba / 6. Iwona Sobotka, soprano / 7. Zoltán Kocsis / 8. Péter Csaba / 9. Sir András Schiff /10. Vladimir Ashkenazy / 11. Fabián Panisello, conductor; Beatriz Oleaga, mezzosoprano

28 1 2 3

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9 10 11 expressly for the occasion by Karlheinz Stockhausen, David del Puerto, Kaija Saariaho, Toshio Hosokawa and César Camarero, among others, within the “Music for a School” project promoted by the Reina Sofia School of Music.

I am delighted and honored to be part of the 20th anniversary of the Santander Encounter of Music. The extraordinary work of Paloma O’Shea has resulted in a brilliant festival. I participated in the festival in 2007, and it was one of the most satisfying musical experiences of my life. May the Encounter live forever! John Corigliano, composer-in-residence

Joan Guinjoan, Sofia Gubaidulina, John Corigliano, Luis de Pablo, Fabián Panisello, Kaija Saariaho, Tomás Marco, Krzysztof Penderecki and Péter Eötvös have been composers-in-residence of the Encounter. Indeed, the last two performed a double task, and combined their work as composers/conductors with the conduction of the inaugural concert. The presence of the great Polish musician, Krzysztof Penderecki, the last representative of the generation of masters of the European Avant-Garde, as a composer-in-residence at the 2016 Encounter, was particularly significant. He led, presented, and taught his compositions Adagio of Symphony No. 3, and Concert for French Horn and Orchestra, to the members of the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter, in two concerts in Santander and El Escorial, with the participation of our French Horn professor, Radovan Vlatković as soloist.

This great project offers an opportunity for young talented musicians to gather in one place, and collaborate in masterclasses, individual practices, chamber music, and great orchestral works. I congratulate you on this great initiative and hope that this extraordinary idea of the Santander Music and Academy Encounter will serve to boost the career of many young artists. Congratulations! Krzysztof Penderecki, conductor of the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter and composer-in-residence

With the title Music for a Renzo Piano Space, the 2018 Encounter, together with the Botín Foundation, gave a special concert in tribute to the architect. It was housed at his great venue in Santander, Centro Botín, a one-of-a-kind space that was used

30 for the first time for this purpose, and allowed everyone to listen to the works of Schönberg, Boulez and Berio chosen by Piano himself. It was performed by the mezzosoprano Beatriz Oleaga, the clarinetist Ferran Arbona and the Ensemble of the Encounter, led by the Maestro and composer Fabián Panisello. The Hungarian Maestro Péter Eötvös, one of the most outstanding voices of the current composition scene and orchestra conductor of great international prestige, was added to the great cast of composers-in-residence at the 2019 Encounter. He conducted the inaugural concert and led the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter on a programme featuring works by Beethoven, Stravinsky and his own work, The Gliding of the Eagle in the Skies, and violinist Giovanni Guzzo as guest artist. In addition, Eötvös offered a meeting with the public in which he had an open conversation with his compatriot, Maestro Csaba, Artistic Director of the Encounter.

I am a regular guest director at major festivals around the world. Among them all, attending the 2019 Encounter was a true pleasure. This was particularly important as it allowed addressing the details of the style of my compositions with a generation of young musicians. I was surprised to see how well we achieved a high artistic level. The concerts were of great quality and provided a festival atmosphere that the audience, receptive and open to new experiences, welcomed with enthusiasm. Péter Eötvös, conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter and composer-in-residence

Throughout these twenty years of the Festival, other Maestros, such as Frans Helmerson, Hansjörg Schellenberger, Wolfram Christ, Zorik Tatevosian, Fabián Panisello, among others, have also led great ensembles, such as the Chamber Orchestra, the Camerata Sinfonietta, or the Encounter ensembles, with a varied tour of the chamber music repertoire. This is the case of Fabián Panisello who approached Stravinski’s well-known History of the Soldier, and Drawing, by the Japanese composer Hosokawa. On the other hand, the guest artist of the thirteenth edition, Zorik Tatevosian, opened the Encounter with a very attractive programme that included Vivaldi’s Four seasons, and Tchaikovski’s Serenata for strings, performed by the E.ON Camerata of the Encounter, where he performed as as concertmaster and conductor.

Participants and chamber ensembles

The Santander Music and Academy Encounter celebrates its 20th anniversary, and continues to work with the same academic objective of providing a space for profound coexistence, so that young musicians of great talent coming from great European schools, can improve their artistic skills in solo performances, chamber and orchestral ensembles, in addition to playing with the most outstanding and prestigious artists of each instrument in the field of musical pedagogy in the international scene. These young promises and recognised artists embody the motto of the “Santander Encounter” that makes it possible for them to come and share masterclasses, rehearsals, and concerts. They all work together in the classrooms of the Jesús de Monasterio Professional Conservatory of Music in the morning, and bring their art to the public every evening with a series of concerts that tour the region, so as to give these future musicians the exceptional opportunity to share the stage and perform with living legends of music. Every year, new talents are summoned to take part by invitation, after a series of auditions organized by Maestro Péter Csaba, Artistic Director of the Encounter. These young musicians come from the most important music institutions in Europe, including the Reina Sofia School of Music. More than1,200 students from 60 different countries have participated in the academic and artistic activities of the Encounter in its twenty years of existence. Each July, they manage to superbly combine the orchestral activity and rehearsals of chamber music groups, with masterclasses of various instruments that amount to more than 8,000 teaching hours in these twenty years, and their participation –as soloists, or integrated in chamber groups and orchestras– in 1,110 concerts, with an average of 55 concerts per edition. This represents an ideal complement to their artistic training. The Encounter chose, from its first edition, to give great importance to chamber music, because, in addition to providing channels, in academic and artistic terms, to a very attractive and not sufficiently widespread repertoire, it also brings very useful educational elements, and favors a kind of interaction among young musicians and renowned artists that is very enriching for them all. In fact, it is this joint work in music what gives its unique personality to the Encounter. The chamber ensembles are formed during the Encounter and seek the greatest variety in terms of instrumental and vocal ensembles. In this regard, the members

Participants of the Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter

33 of the trios, quartets, quintets or sextets of the same instrument, or in mixed, wind or piano ensembles. Throughout the twenty editions of the Encounter of Music and Academy, a total of about 2,000 different camera ensembles have been created. The Encounter devotes special attention to chamber music, especially in the form of string quartets and piano. In addition to promoting these chamber ensembles within the Encounter, in the first ten editions, 43 already-formed quartets among the most representative of the current European panorama were invited, among which are the Bennewitz, Arcano, Accord, Quiroga, Kazakh, Rodeo, Prometheus, Albéniz de Prosegur, Onvs The String, Snítil quartets, or the Alborada and Cervantes trios, many of them trained at the Madrid International Institute of Chamber Music and the Reina Sofia School of Music. The high level of the participants allows them to have the opportunity to join the various orchestral formations of the Encounter (the Chamber and Symphony orchestras, Camerata, Sinfonietta or ensembles) led by great internationally renowned conductors, and also give the public the possibility of witnessing a varied musical repertoire, performed by a wide selection of orchestral groups, and by soloists selected from the young musicians participating in the Festival. Some of these young soloists visit the Encounter as guest artists; many of them trained at the Reina Sofía School of Music, and are currently developing important careers as soloists and chamber musicians all over the world. The “results” of the Encounter are tangible and fruitful, such as the Del Valle Duo; the French pianist David Kadouch; Juan Pérez Floristán, winner of the International Piano Competition of Santander and of the prestigious Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition; or brothers Pablo and Antonio Martín Acevedo, formidable violinist and cellist, respectively. This is also the case of Spanish soprano Laia Falcón, who visited the Encounter as guest artist in 2011, after having participated in previous editions, and who starred, together with the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter, under the baton of Maestro Csaba, a very special concert featuring pieces as demanding as Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, or Schönberg’s Pierrot Lunaire. The Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin, well known to the Cantabrian public, also attended as guest artist after participating in several editions of the Encounter as a student. Kozhukhin, who has a very promising career, and recently won the Reine Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, performed Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, and Brahms’ Concert Nº1 for Piano and Orchestra on a magical evening. In addition, the Del Valle Duo starred in Francis Poulenc’s Concert for Two Pianos and Orchestra, in the opening concert of the 17th edition of the Encounter, devoted to the celebration of the 85th birthday of the recently disappeared Dmitri

34 Bashkirov, great pianist and educator. It was in his class at the Reina Sofia School of Music that the duo of the Del Valle brothers, Victor and Luis del Valle, was born. The Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández, young soloist of great international career, participated, in his days as student of the Reina Sofia School of Music, in several editions of the Encounter, and performed as guest artist and soloist in the Inaugural Concert of the 2015 edition, with the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter, conducted by Csaba, featuring Sibelius’ Finland, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, and Strauss’ symphonic poems Death and Transfiguration and Don Juan.

WORDS DEDICATED TO THE ENCOUNTER BY SOME OF THE YOUNG MUSICIANS INVOLVED

The Santander Encounter has been a unique world. Four years participating in this won- experience. My first time playing great works derful Festival, meeting an enthusiastic from the repertoire of chamber music with audience and playing in large concert halls. geniuses of music guiding me. I felt very suppor- Thanks so much and Happy 20th anniversary! ted in learning these scores. Once on stage, the (Nicolas Dupont, violin) professors who played with us were always on the same level as the students, it was a very spe- Being 16 years old, traveling to Santander, and cial time to share music. (David Kadouch, piano) discovering the best musicians in the classes, and playing with them on stage was an incre- This festival holds a very special place in my dible experience. I will always remember the heart and memory. It is a place where I met good times that I spent there, meeting friends young musicians of my generation and experien- for life, and having a great time. Thank you ced the most rewarding experiences with them, to all who make the Santander Encounter not only as a musician, but also as a young man. a reality, and thank you for offering young It was an incredible experience where I musicians early opportunities to train and had the opportunity to learn new and sur- meet their idols. (Adrien Boisseau, viola) prising pieces of chamber or orchestral music. Never before had I had the feeling My first time at the Santander Encounter was of finding such a good balance between fun an exciting moment in my life, I was just 14 and learning. For me, this was the magic years old, and it was my first time attending of Santander. (Marc Bouchkov, violin) a festival of this level. It was very impor- My four “Encounters”: four years spen- tant for me to make a good impression, and ding almost a month in the beautiful city I wanted to show that I was not too young, of Santander. Four years of profoundly ins- so I spent my days studying and working, pirational musical gatherings. Four years they were definitely very intense days! full of meaningful friendships. Four years Even so, I had time to make great friends that learning from the best, side by side, and I keep to this day; I remember those days from my colleagues from all around the with great affection. (Pablo Ferrández, cello)

35 We are very pleased to see the Santander Music Having the opportunity to participate in the and Academy Encounter celebrate its 20th Santander Encounter of Music and Academy anniversary, on the one hand, because of the for so many years was a fundamental expe- relevance it has had, has, and will have for future rience in my musical and personal journey, one professional musicians and, on the other, because that has left an indelible mark in my memory. of the enjoyment and training that it has offered I remember the trips to the beautiful villages to a large number of spectators who, unbek- together with my Cervantes Trio, the experience nownst to them, have become unconditional of sharing with so many different musicians, music lovers. At the same time, we feel a special the atmosphere at the concerts at the Palacio pride for having been part of it, and we want de Festivales, where the musicians / public pay tribute to it for all that it has meant to us. create a very special connection. Thanks for so Congratulations! many things! (Pablo Martín Acevedo, violin) (Del Valle Duo: Victor and Luis Del Valle, piano) It has been a great opportunity to meet and There are certain ages and moments that become learn from great Masters, talk to them, ask them a turning point for an artist for the rest of their questions, and discover something new every life. Arriving at the Santander Encounter at day. For a young musician, it is very important the age of 18 was, as anyone would expect, a to be able to go on stage, to feel, from a very milestone in my personal and professional life: young age, the emotion, the jitters of a concert. surrounding myself for the first time with so This is crucial for our future professional life. many young musicians of enormous talent and I am very grateful to the Santander Encounter eager to take on the world, being able to share for everything I learned, for the enormous my concerns as a young artist with people of work of the people who made it possible, thanks the most diverse countries, meeting friends who to whom we could grow up as musicians accompany me wherever I go, creating cham- and individuals. (Denis Kozhukhin, piano) ber ensembles where we made great music... all under the guidance of professors like Claudio The Santander Encounter will always hold a very Martínez-Mehner, Galina Eguiazarova, Eldar special place in my heart and in my memory! Nebolsin... (Juan Pérez Floristán, piano) This is where I really discovered the beauty and the intensity of playing chamber music. From Participating in so many editions in the that moment on, it was clear to me that this was Santander Encounter of Music and Academy what I wanted to do with my life. The mix of has been a gift for me: the musical atmosphere, learning from the best professionals, delving into the concerts together with living legends the details, playing for an enthusiastic audience, of music, the experience of living together spending an incredible time with other students, with so many students of so diverse cultures, as well as enjoying the unique festive atmosphere the concerts in such welcoming places, the of Santander, makes everything very special! Argenta Music Hall... These are moments Thank you for this life-changing expe- that I will treasure for life! Eternally rience! (Vineta Sareika, violin) grateful! (Antonio Martín Acevedo, cello)

Participant of the Encounter, Matthias Racz, and participants of the Encounter

Partner European schools

The Santander Encounter of Music and Academy has become, in its twenty years of life, one of the most important international festivals, as it allows the participating young artists from participating from the best European schools, to improve their musical knowledge in extraordinary pedagogical sessions, in addition to to taking part in numerous concerts led by great and prestigious musicians with whom they share the stage. Therefore, in these years, the Encounter has maintained, the objective of ensur- ing a high academic and artistic quality, as well as guaranteeing the excellence of the more than 1,200 young artists who have participated in the festival. To that end, its Artistic Director, Péter Csaba, carries out annual auditions in the most prestigious schools and academies in Europe, and selects the most outstanding talents of the different musical disciplines. In several editions, the Encounter has been held within the framework of the CULTURE Programme of the European Commission, with the CONCERTANDO and EUROCLASSICAL projects, under the coordination of the Albéniz Foundation and the participation of the European schools partnered with the Encounter. With the common objective of empowering and spreading young music through the Clas- sicalplanet.com platform, and giving mobility and visibility to young musicians of the greatest talent from all over the world, because besides the future, they are also the present, and their performances today deserve to be disseminated.

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENCOUNTER Germany Karajan Orchester-Akademie, Berlin • Hochschule Für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin • Musik-Universität Der Künste, Berlin • Orchester-Akademie Der Berliner Philharmoniker, Berlin • Universität Der Künste, Berlin Belgium Erasmus Hogeschool Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, Brussels • Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Waterloo Spain Escuela Superior De Música Reina Sofía, Madrid • Instituto International De Música De Cámara, Madrid Finland Sibelius Academy, Helsinki France Conservatoire National Supérieur De Musique Et De Danse, Paris • Proquartet, Centre Européen De Musique De Chambre, Paris Italy Fondazione Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Rome • Scuola Di Musica Fiesole, Florence Portugal Escola Superior De Musica, Artes E Espectáculo (Esmae), Porto United Kingdom Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, London • R oYAL Academy Of Music, London • R oYAL College Of Music, London Czech Republic Academy Of Performing Arts, Prague Switzerland Hochschule Für Musik Fhnw/Musik Akademie Basel, Basel Hungary Ferenc Liszt Academy Of Music, Budapest

SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES COLLABORATING WITH THE ENCOUNTER BRASS ACADEMY, ALICANTE • CONSERVATORIO MUNICIPAL DE MÚSICA ATAÚLFO ARGENTA, SANTANDER • CONSERVATORIO PROFESIONAL DE MÚSICA JESÚS DE MONASTERIO, SANTANDER • CONSERVATORIO SUPERIOR DE MÚSICA DE ARAGÓN, ZARAGOZA • SPANISH PERCUSSION GROUP, EXTREMADURA

38 Argenta Hall of the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, Venues Santander. Dmitri Bashkirov

In its effort to contribute to the professionalisation of its participants, and bring music closer to everyone, Cantabria has been the exceptional framework in which the Encounter has held 1,100 concerts during the twenty editions that we celebrate this year. In line with its desire to disseminate music, the Encounter has performed in renowned music venues in Santander, such as the Argenta and Pereda Music Halls of the Palacio de Festivales, the Assembly Hall of the UIMP with its headquarters in La Magdalena, or Centro Botín, but also in world-class stages, of high architectural quality throughout the region. The Encounter and its music have traveled to theaters, churches, cultural cent- ers, and other venues of enormous cultural and tourist interest in more than 50 villages in Cantabria, granted by public and private institutions of the region, such as the Major Seminary of Comillas, the Chapel of the Monastery of San Juan de Monte de Escalante, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Maria de Cayón, or the Church of Santa Lucía, in Santander. Also, following the tradition of presenting the Encounter Orchestra in locations outside Cantabria, a number of concerts have been held in emblematic halls and places, as inspiring as the Carriage House Square of the Monastery of El Escorial, the Church of San Martiño Pinario de Santiago de Compostela, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, or the Museum of Evolution in Burgos.

39 Sponsors The sponsors of the Santander Encounter of Music and Academy have played a fundamental role in the evolution of the Festival since its beginning in 2001, when the Albéniz Foundation set out to launch this pioneering initiative capable of seamlessly combining music education and dissemination, holding every summer a truly enriching event for the prestige of Cantabria, and a cultural programming with great international impact. Since then, the Encounter has been promoted jointly by the Government of Cantabria, the City of Santander, and the Albéniz Foundation, under the organisation of the Reina Sofía School of Music that, together with the more than 100 public and private regional entities which have joined this unique project year after year, such as the Palacio de Festivales, the Professional Conservatory of Music Jesús de Monasterio, the Menéndez Pelayo International University, among many others, have materialised it for 20 years now. Likewise, the success of the Encounter is largely due to the companies that direct their sponsorship toward the concerts held in Santander and other Cantabrian towns. Their contribution is indispensable, not only for the development of these activities, but for their effective integration in the social fabric of the region. Since the Encounter is a non-for-profit initiative, the contributions of the sponsors are intended to cover the necessary costs for its organisation. They also allow to cover the travel and accommodation expenses of all participants, including their accommodation allowances and internal transfers, as well as an artistic remuneration for their performances in concerts.

2021 ENCOUNTER GENERAL SPONSORS

GOBIERNO de CANTABRIA VICEPRESIDENCIA CONSEJERÍA DE UNIVERSIDADES, IGUALDAD, CULTURA Y DEPORTE

CONCERT SPONSORS

ENTITIES THAT COLLABORATE

The Regional Government of Cantabria supports the Encuentro (To see the full list of the entities that have collaborated through the Regional Society of Education, Culture and Sports in the Encounter, scan the QR code on page 49)

40 Board of Trustees of the Center for Musical Studies of Santander 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Isaac Albéniz Center for Musical Studies of Santander is the highest representative organ of the two activities of the Albéniz Foundation in the capital and region of Cantabria: The Encounter of Music and Academy, and the Paloma O’Shea International Piano Competition. It is made up of representatives of the main institutions and regional entities that, with their support, make it possible to carry out this project.

President of Honour María Luz Morán Calvo-Sotelo Manuel Iturbe H.R.H. Infanta Doña Margarita Honourable Rector of Menéndez Pelayo Territorial Director of Banco Santander de Borbón, Duchess of Soria International University in Cantabria and Asturias President Ángel Pazos Mariano Linares Paloma O’Shea Honourable Rector of the University Honorary President of Editorial ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS of Cantabria Cantabria odesto iñeiro arcía ago Miguel Ángel Revilla ON BEHALF OF PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS M P G -L President of the Chamber of President of the Government Miguel Antoñanzas Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Cantabria Adviser at Viesgo of Cantabria Pablo Zuloaga Charo Baqué Julia Sánchez Abeal Vice-President and Regional Minister CEO at Grupo Dromedario of Universities, Equality, Culture and CEO - Albéniz Foundation Sports of the Government of Cantabria Santiago Díaz ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS President of Grupo Empresarial Marina Lombó SADISA, S.L. Elena García Botín Regional Minister of Education Manuel Huerta and Vocational Training Javier González Portilla Annelies Kaufmann of the Government of Cantabria President of Grupo Tirso Rafael Segura Gema Igual Roberto González Portilla Secretary Mayor of Santander City Council CEO at Grupo Tirso Álvaro Guibert

41 Special moments

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1. Dmitri Bashkirov / 2. Zakhar Bron and Péter Csaba / 3. Juanjo Mena / 4. Michel Arrignon / 5. Márta Gulyás / 6. Participants of the Encounter / 7. Jaime Martín / 8. Hansjörg Schellenberger / 9. Natalia Shakhovskaya / 10. José Luis García Asensio / 11. Klaus Thunemann / 12. Radovan Vlatković / 13. Pablo Ferrández, Péter Csaba and the Freixenet Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter Participants of the Encounter

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4 1. Fabián Panisello and Laia Falcón / 2. Jesús Gómez Madrigal, accompanying pianist / 3 y 4. Participants of the Encounter / 5. Participants of the Encounter / 6. Denis Lossev, accompanying pianist / 7. Jesús del Monasterio Professional Conservatory of Music / 8. Symphony Orchestra of the Encounter. Argenta Hall, Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria / 9. Centro Botín / 10. Mozart’s Così fan tutte opera 7

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6 10 Paloma O’Shea with authorities, conductors, professors, and participants of the Encounter Thank you to everyone who has made these twenty editions of the Santander Encounter of Music and Academy a reality!

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATION: Marjorie Nétange, Director l Victor Moreno, Head of Communications l INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION: Manuela Santiago, Coordinator l ENCOUNTER: Cristina Hernández, general coordinator l PHOTO CREDITS: Manel Rey Cascales, Roberto Ruiz, Elena Torcida, Kirill Bashkirov and Juan de la Fuente. Albéniz Archives and Documentation Centre l DESIGN AND LAYOUT: M&I l PRINTED BY: Publiequipo l © Of the texts: the authors l © Fundación Albéniz 2021. Calle Requena, 1. 28013 Madrid . Tel: +34 91 351 10 60 / +34 91 523 04 19 / www.escuelasuperiordemusicareinasofia.es GOBIERNO de CANTABRIA VICEPRESIDENCIA CONSEJERÍA DE UNIVERSIDADES, IGUALDAD, CULTURA Y DEPORTE