María Dueñas Presents Fauré’s Après un rêve

“María Dueñas is inspiring not only for her technical perfection and virtuosity
but also, and above all, for her musical sensitivity and emotional commitment”
–Jury citation on awarding María Dueñas the 2021 Rheingau Music Festival Lotto Prize

“María is one of the best, most exciting young violinists in the world”
–Manfred Honeck

“… she is already an exceptional musician”
–Los Angeles Times, May 18, 2022

“A new star has appeared on the world’s violin scene.
Outstanding talent, noble style, artistic temperament and a great school.
I am convinced that María Dueñas will shine brightly in the firmament”
–Vladimir Spivakov

New York, NY (September 30, 2022) – From Zhuhai to Ufa, New York to Hesse, Spanish violinist María Dueñas wins prizes – not to mention audience ovations and rave reviews – wherever she goes. Hailed for playing with “freedom and joyous individuality” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), this sensational artist is the latest winner of the Menuhin Competition, the world’s most prestigious prize for young violinists. Born in Granada, based in Vienna, with concert dates stretching ahead of her at venues worldwide, Dueñas is one of the most thoughtful and communicative musicians on the current classical scene. Today, she signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Listen to her debut single, out now – Gabriel Fauré’s Après un rêve – and watch the video here.

Dueñas is set to launch her DG recording career with the Beethoven Violin Concerto, a bold choice of repertoire that reflects the gravity and substance of her music-making. She is recording her debut album, scheduled for release in May 2023, with the Wiener Symphoniker and Manfred Honeck. The violinist, who enjoys composition, has written her own cadenzas for the concerto.

“For me, Deutsche Grammophon quite simply means great music – I grew up listening to my mother’s vinyl DG recordings of Milstein and Oistrakh,” says María Dueñas. “So of course I’m thrilled to join the label myself and especially to have the opportunity to record one of the greatest violin concertos ever written. Exploring the Beethoven and developing my interpretation of this work with the wonderful Wiener Symphoniker and Maestro Honeck is a dream come true.”

“María is an audacious young musician who is making a strong start to her recording journey with Beethoven as her first project,” observes Valérie Gross, Deutsche Grammophon’s Senior A&R Director. “There’s a special magic in her playing – an energy and lightness combined with extraordinary depth and sensibility. We’re very much looking forward to working with her.”