Pablo Sainz-Villegas
Undoubtedly the preeminent virtuoso guitarist of his generation, Pablo Sainz-Villegas garners resounding acclaim from the global press, hailed as the successor to Andrés Segovia and an ambassador of Spanish culture worldwide. His version of the Aranjuez Concerto is the most acclaimed nowadays by critics and symphonic orchestras worldwide. He stands as the first solo guitarist to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York since the venerable Maestro Andrés Segovia's historic performance in 1983. Additionally, he has etched his name as the first guitarist to collaborate with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 2001, as well as the sole guitarist to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic since 1983 at their New Year’s Eve -concert.
Since his remarkable debut with the New York Philharmonic, under the masterful baton of Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, Pablo Sainz-Villegas has graced stages across more than 40 countries. His performances have resonated within the hallowed halls of eminent orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, and the National Orchestra of Spain. He has also adorned renowned theaters including the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, Musikverein in Vienna, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, among numerous others of similar eminence.
In 2024 Sainz-Villegas will make his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony, and tour the US playing with the Phoenix Symphony, Naples Symphony and Houston Symphony among others. He will premier Arturo Márquez’s first Guitar Concerto, written for Pablo, in the US and Canada and will tour back in Colombia, Taiwan & Europe.
Pablo Sainz-Villegas has graced expansive audiences numbering in the tens of thousands. Among these notable occasions are performances at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, captivating over 85,000 attendees, as well as concerts held in distinguished venues like Chicago's Grant Park, Lisbon's iconic Praça do Comércio, and the illustrious Hollywood Bowl, accompanied by the esteemed Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Noteworthy among his repertoire of remarkable feats is a performance on a floating stage adrift the Amazon River, an event broadcast to countless viewers across the globe.
Hand in hand with his incredible trajectory, the success of Pablo Sainz-Villegas's interpretation of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez has summoned numerous invitations from renowned conductors, including Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alexander Shelley, Richard Egarr and Juanjo Mena. This collaborative symphony has not only enhanced his artistry but also solidified his standing among the virtuosos of our time.
As an acclaimed artist with over thirty international awards, including the Andrés Segovia, Francisco Tárrega, and Christopher Parkening awards, and a frequent performer in institutional representation concerts, Pablo Sainz-Villegas has had the privilege of playing, on various occasions, before members of the Spanish Royal Family, including his concert at the Princess of Asturia Awards in 2021. He has also performed for other heads of state and international leaders such as the Dalai Lama.
In alignment with his artistry, as a musician affiliated with SONY Classical, he has unveiled three albums, each a testament to his musical prowess and creative spirit. His most recent opus, entitled 'The Blue Album,' was released in June 2023.
Pablo Sainz-Villegas believes that music can unite communities across the globe, which is why he is a socially committed artist. Pablo Sainz-Villegas founded the philanthropic project “El Legado de la Música Sin Fronteras” in 2006, through which he has shared his music with over 45,000 children and young people worldwide. He is also the founder, inspiration, and driving force behind the non-profit organization Strings in Common. Strings in Common is his love letter to the cultural power of the guitar, an instrument with the ability to represent numerous international traditions. In his words, “The guitar is an instrument of the people. It has the power to reach audiences and bridge the gap between art music and pop-culture.”
Additionally, as a tireless advocate for the development of classical guitar repertoire, he has premiered numerous works, including the first piece written for guitar by the renowned film score composer and five-time Oscar winner, John Williams, as well as his duo ‘A preayer for peace’, created for Yo-Yo Ma and Pablo. He has also premiered compositions by Tomás Marco, Jesús Torres, María Dolores Malumbres, David del Puerto, and Sergio Assad, among others. Looking towards a future that holds more performance opportunities for classical guitarists, Sainz-Villegas has commissioned guitar works from composers Arturo Márquez, Francisco Coll, and Laura Vega to premiere in 2023 and 2025.
Currently, Pablo Sainz-Villegas is the artistic director and driving force of La Rioja Festival, a project of his own conception that showcases his home region to the world, an homage to the lively and supportive community that has been an integral part of his upbringing and musical career.
Pablo Sainz-Villegas has been living in the United States since 2001 and looks forward to a season of performing and collaborating with incredible artists.