Pablo González has earned tremendous praise for his debut with Frankfurt Radio Symphony on 21 – 23 March. He “fired up the orchestra [with an] exhilarating…and challenging programme” (Frankfurter Neue Presse) featuring Berlioz’ Roman Carnival overture, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto (with Emmanuel Tjeknavorian as soloist) and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2: The Four Temperaments.
Online Merker writes: “The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra was clearly carried away by its spirited guest conductor Pablo González. With clear gestures and rhythmic finesse, he interpreted a convincing sound panorama with the attentive orchestra. From the beginning it was obvious that the audience would experience a special evening. The orchestra performed on the edge of their seats and absorbed every energetic impulse of its tireless conductor. Fabulously dynamic, González was able to realize an outstanding interpretation. …
“Pablo González clearly has a very clear idea of his interpretation [of the Nielsen] which aimed to emphasize the contrasts of this multi-layered composition, and which he succeeded perfectly. In his conducting by heart, he succeeded in differentiating the various temperaments from each other. The orchestra and conductor clearly got along very well. Let’s hope that we will soon be able to experience this special conductor again in Frankfurt!
Gießener Allgemeine adds, “The precision is fascinating, coupled with this love of detail and an esprit that does not often exist in the concert scene. …Guest conductor Pablo González…conducts the orchestra with a sure hand.”
FAZ Rhein Main Zeitung notes that: “Under the direction of Pablo Gonzalez, the designated chief conductor of the Spanish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nielsen’s somewhat woodcut-like character drawings in the melancholic third movement and in the sanguine finale gained a fresh and clear profile.”
Gießener Anzeiger praises his exuberant conducting writing that, “González brought forth the qualities of this orchestra. His conducting is highly descriptive – whether subtle hand movements, suggestive gesture, or sometimes his whole body – transfer directly to the sound and musical character. …The orchestra demonstrated the art of the unexpected, the rugged contrasts and the tonal variation that characterize these extremely lively compositions.” On the Nielsen, they add, “It was an achievement in itself, how González managed to combine the sequence of sharply contrasting elements…into a unity.”
Hailed as one of the most versatile and passionate conductors of his generation, Pablo González is an inspirational musician to orchestras and audiences throughout the world. He is a Designate Principal Conductor of the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (RTVE) and Artistic Adviser to the Orchestra and Choir (19/20). In (2018/19) the recent concert seasons he has made notable debuts with the Dresden Philharmonic, CBSO, The Hallé in Manchester, the Residentie orchestra in the Hague and the Helsinki Philharmonic. Additional season highlights of the current season include successful returns to conduct Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and Konzerthausorchester Berlin.