Spanish Young Music Talents: Álvaro Toscano at Indiana University Bloomington

Spanish guitarist Álvaro Toscano gives a solo recital at Indiana University Bloomington as part of the program “Spanish Young Music Talents.”

Spanish Young Music Talents (SYMT) is the new program of the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. SYMT has been envisioned to enhance and support Spanish young musicians’ careers, in collaboration with U.S. music schools and universities at a higher level (bachelor and graduate students orchestras), offering them an experience abroad.

SYMT aims to offer young musicians not only a concert or recital in the U.S., but a complete experience with complementary activities such as masterclasses, talks, conferences, etc. to broaden their opportunities and contacts. All visiting musicians are winners of the Juventudes Musicales de España national award and under 30 years old.
The quality of Spanish guitarist Álvaro Toscano is endorsed by more than twenty international awards throughout his career, including first prizes in the International Guitar Competition Fernando Sor, the Permanent Competition of Juventudes Musicales de España, the International Competition Ciudad de Guimaraes, and the Changsha International Guitar Festival, among others. He has also received numerous audience awards that reflect his incredible ability to connect with audiences through music.

During his stay at Indiana University Bloomington, Álvaro Toscano will perform a guitar recital featuring a diverse repertoire. Toscano will also conduct a masterclass for Indiana University students on March 29th.

Program

• Fernando Sor (1778-1839): Fantaisie et Variations Brillantes, op. 30
• Francisco Tárrega (1908-1979): Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Capricho árabe and Rosita
• Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999): Invocación y danza
• Marco Smaili (1967): Quatre bagatelles en forme de Suite Cosmique (I. Le depart; II. Ingravité; III. Monté sur une comète j’ai vu…; IV. Loin dans le noir)
• Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909): Suite Iberia, 3º Cahier. VII. El Albaicín and Suite Iberia, 2º Cahier. V. Almería

Álvaro Toscano

As a soloist, Álvaro Toscano frequently collaborates with prominent orchestras such as the Spanish Radio and Television Orchestra, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville, the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Galicia, the Symphony Orchestra of Castellón, and the AUKSO Orchestra.

He has worked with director renowned directors such as Christian Karlsen, José Luis Temes, Salvador Sebastià, Marek Moś, and Maximino Zumalave. He has performed in over 300 recitals in Europe and the US, at venues like Ganz Hall in Chicago, Kings Place in London, the Monumental Theatre in Madrid, Sarajevo International Guitar Festival, Uppsala Concerts & Congress Hall in Sweden, the Harmonia Cordis Guitar Festival, the Galicia Auditorium, and the Teatro de la Maestranza.

Committed to contemporary music, Toscano frequently debuts works, including pieces by Antonio Blanco Tejero and María Jesús Amaro. He is also actively involved in chamber music and multidisciplinary projects, collaborating with the Leonor Quartet, Uppsala Guitar Quartet, dancer Cristina Cazorla, and soprano Mariví Blasco.

Committed to inspiring and transforming through classical music, he frequently performs concerts on platforms such as Sofar Sounds and collaborates in numerous social programs. He has studied with Jara Benítez, Juan Antonio Martínez, José María Bailo, Javier Riba, Francisco Bernier, and Pedro Mateo Gonzalez, and plays a guitar crafted by Spanish luthier José Paniagua with Knobloch strings.