Jaime Martín earned international acclaim for his sold-out London Symphony Orchestra debut in Madrid (17 October) and London (21 October). Martín led the LSO in a programme featuring selections from De Falla’s The Three Cornered Hat, Parts I & II; Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole with violinist Christian Tetzlaff, and Stravinksy’s The Firebird – Suite (1945).
Seen and Heard International’s Alan Sanders writes:
With his superb, precise conducting technique, and an electric response from the LSO at its virtuosic best, this was a memorable performance. Every tiny inflection of detail made its vital presence felt. The flair and colour he brought to the score was magical: to take just one example, the slinky way in which he shaped the beginning of ‘The Miller’s Dance’ from Part 2 of the ballet was rich in personality and evocative power.
In his 4-star review for Bachtrack, Alexander Hall writes of The Firebird:
“Martín secured especially eloquent playing from all his woodwind principals, together with a finely floated horn solo that ushered in the Final Hymn, clearly relishing the delicacy of the many chamber-like passages. A single instance of the exquisite realisation of colour and atmosphere would be the clarinet morendo just before the Infernal Dance burst in with chords like sledgehammer blows. Here there was no hint of any velvet glove to go with the iron fist. The party had achieved its knockout punch.”
Of the Madrid performance, Scherzo writes (translation):
“Jaime Martín…has a strong presence on the podium. …The Cantabrian governs with a firm hand and clear criteria, with vibration and energy, and there is no doubt that the formidable British orchestra follows him with its proverbial flexibility.”
Jaime Martín has risen quickly to international acclaim as a conductor following his prominent career as a flautist. Recently announced as Music Director Designate of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, he begins his tenure in September 2019. In 2013, he became Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Gävle Symphony Orchestra. He is also Chief Conductor of Orquestra de Cadaqués and Artistic Director of the Santander International Festival.
Forthcoming debuts include subscription performances with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and Gulbenkian orchestras.
