María Dueñas, Beethoven and Beyond Review

María Dueñas’ debut album, Beethoven and Beyond, is a resplendent tour de force that seamlessly melds the timeless masterpieces of renowned composers with the Spanish violinist’s own ingenuity. The album is a musical journey that spans epochs, demonstrating Dueñas’ remarkable versatility and passion for the art form and her extraordinary skills as a musician and violinist.

In the opening piece, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Dueñas showcases her command of musical phrasing, letting the long, lyrical lines bloom through her violin. Her personally crafted cadenzas lend a fresh, contemporary flavor to this beloved classic, bridging the chasm between tradition and innovation.

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Dueñas then transition into the playful realm of Saint-Saëns’ Havanaise, Op. 83. Here, the dancer within Dueñas comes alive, with her vibrato and right-hand control bringing out the lively Cuban rhythms intrinsic to the piece, a testament to her diverse stylistic range.

A highlight of the album is Dueñas’ interpretation of Ysaÿe’s Berceuse, Op. 20, under the baton of Manfred Honeck. Her vibrato lends an enchanting lullaby-like quality to the piece, while her seamless bowing and flawless shifts paint a picture of serene tranquility.

The Wieniawski’s Légende bristles with the technical expertise of Dueñas. Her remarkable bowing technique delivers the dramatic arcs of the piece with precision and grace, while her left-hand shifts facilitate an effortless navigation through the composition’s intricacies.

One surprise in the album is Spohr’s rarely performed Adagio from Symphonie concertante No. 1. Here, Dueñas’ interpretation illuminates the romantic lyricism and technical refinement characteristic of the composer’s style, offering a much-needed revival of Spohr’s unique musical voice.

Ending on a high note, Dueñas’ rendition of Kreisler’s Liebesleid captivates the listener with its romantic charm. The soulful melody, interpreted with her expressive vibrato and meticulous bowing, casts an enchanting atmosphere that lingers even after the piece ends.

As the last strains of music fade away, it is clear that María Dueñas’ Beethoven and Beyond is more than a debut album – it is an introduction to her musical expertise and an invitation to explore the landscapes of these timeless works through her unique artistic lens. Dueñas’ skilled performance throughout the album, with its sublime combination of technical proficiency, interpretative insight, and communicative power, firmly establishes her as a tour-de-force in the world of classical music, truly taking us beyond the realm of Beethoven to new horizons. That’s the short of it!

Connect with María Dueñas: Website |