Francisco Fullana appointed as Principal Violin of the SPCO
SAINT PAUL, MN, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) announces today that violinist Francisco Fullana has been named the orchestra's newest Principal Violin.
The Principal Violin position, unique to the SPCO, will have leadership, solo and chamber music opportunities, splitting the more traditional principal second violin responsibilities with another Principal Violin (Kyu-Young Kim). On weeks when Kim is fulfilling the Principal Violin role, Fullana will be assigned varying positions in the first and second violin sections.
SPCO Artistic Director and Principal Violin Kyu-Young Kim reflected on the appointment of this key position: "As the SPCO has moved to becoming a primarily unconducted ensemble, the need for even more leadership from our musicians has led us to make the decision to add another Principal Violin. We feel very fortunate to have been able to recruit and appoint someone of Francisco's incredible artistic caliber. He passed through the audition process with flying colors and joined the orchestra for a trial period last season, culminating in an impressive solo turn in a fiendishly difficult string ensemble piece [Ginastera's Concerto for Strings] in our season finale last June. We are delighted to welcome him to the SPCO, and know that this community will embrace his talent and his boundless enthusiasm for our music."
Acclaimed for his performances in both Europe and the US, Spanish violinist Francisco Fullana is enjoying a diverse international career of concerto and recital appearances, as well as a wide array of collaborations as a chamber musician.
He is currently in his second season as artist in residence for the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra, performing Bartók's Second Violin Concerto under Eivind Gullberg Jensen. He has appeared on some of the world's finest stages including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Spanish National Hall, and Seoul Arts Center. Fullana is also an active chamber musician, appearing in festivals such as Da Camera Society, Marlboro Music, Music@Menlo, Perlman Music Program, Yellow Barn, Concordia, and Jupiter Chamber Players, alongside members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Takacs, and Cleveland Quartets. Since 2013, he is the concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio, where he is also the artistic director of COSA's Chamber Music Institute. Fullana has taken top prizes in the 2015 Pro Musicis International Awards, the 2014 International Johannes Brahms Violin Competition, the 2014 Henri Marteau International Violin Competition, and the 2012 American Protégé International Competition, among others.
Regarding his appointment with the orchestra, Fullana said, "I am very much looking forward to becoming the new Principal Violin of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. From the very first time I came to play with the ensemble, back in April 2015, I was so inspired by the incredible level of commitment of every member of the SPCO. It left a deep impression and when given the chance to become one of the orchestra's leaders, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. One of my long-term goals has always been to play chamber music at the highest level with people that inspire me."
F
ullana continued: "There is nothing better than playing with this group of amazing musicians. Everyone comes to each rehearsal with the motivation of making great music together to put on the highest level of performances for the Twin Cities community. I am excited for the bright future that lies ahead; bringing younger audiences through affordable ticket prices and education programs, while continuing to push the musical excellence of the SPCO through new recordings, tours and collaborations with its fantastic Artistic Partners."
Fullana will be featured in a number of upcoming chamber music pieces and can be seen in rotating positions in the first and second violins throughout the coming season. Performances will include Buxtehude's Sonata in C for Two Violins, Viola da Gamba and Continuo (September 23-25), Stravinsky's Suite from The Soldier's Tale and Schoenfield's Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano (November 10-13), and Strauss's Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Piano (December 2-4).
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