Roberto González-Monjas began his artistic residency with the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra for their 2019/20 season where most recently he featured as a soloist under the orchestra’s current Chief Conductor Andrew Gourlay performing Szymanowski Violin concerto.
González-Monjas received huge praise for his first week of residency from critics:
Emiliano Allende from the paper El Norte de Castilla writes Valladolid-born violinist Roberto González-Monjas was responsible for conveying Szymanowski’s melodic purity. He showcased fine lyricism and a refined sound. He was sensitive in the intimate passages and brilliant in the technically challenging sections, and left the impression of having thoroughly worked on every single detail.
José María Morate from Ritmo says González-Monjas understands Szymanowski like no other: his musical instincts, expressiveness, taste, technical command and intonation make him the ideal performer.
Samuel González Casado of Mundoclassico adds The audience enjoyed Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No. 1 especially because the soloist, Roberto González-Monjas, achieved a detailed and precise interpretation in spite of the challenges presented by such exposed violin writing. His playing features a flawless high register; his flexibility, together with his artistic imagination, make it possible for every phrase to be purposeful and have something to say.
González-Monjas returns to the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra on 25 November for a week where he conducts Ludwig van Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus, op. 43. As part of the residency, González-Monjas returns to Valladolid in April 2020 to conduct the orchestra in a programme that is to feature the world premiere of a concerto for Tuba and Orchestra by a Portuguese composer Nuno Corte Real as well as Shostakovich`s 1st Symphony.
Continuing to amaze critics across Europe, González-Monjas recently made his debut with The Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg which received commendation. Horst Reischenböck of Dreh Punkt Kulture applauds González-Monjas writing:
“The 31-year-old Roberto González-Monjas has felt at home on international stages for a long time. From the very beginning of Prokofiev’s Symphonie Classique, he left no doubt that for him it wasn’t just about fast, superficial showing-off. He also allowed the excellent wind section to comfortably mix with the formidable string players…The Mozarteumorchester threw itself into Mendelssohn’s energetically rebellious music under the inspiring conducting of González-Monjas. The slow movement and the Trio of the Menuet were conveyed in an intimate, almost spiritual way. Applause and cheering broke out for the orchestra and their conductor and soloist…In Mozart’s 2nd Violin Concerto, González-Monjas became the “primus inter pares” among the reactive, flexible tutti. His beautiful form unfolded over the well balanced accompaniment during the Andante, and he garnished the dance-like Finale with his own, absolute stylish cadenzas.”
