October 2023

May 2023

“Mena, Ehnes y la OSG se mostraron como peces en el agua en una de las mejores veladas de la temporada. Para sentirse orgullosos.”

The evening performance will be broadcast live on Czech national television and radio.

“Mena coaxed beautiful phrasing out of the orchestra …. the DSO delivered a performance that was brilliant, virtuosic and a lot of fun.”

“…this was an unforgettable evening with a major takeaway”

“The playing of the BBC Philharmonic is impassioned – clearly Mena inspires them.”

A Celebration of Spanish Music: the first Gala Concert of the Royal Opera of Madrid in New York

Marion Cotillard stars as Jeanne d’Arc, in a stunning production by Alex Ollé of “La Fura dels Baus”

“… a spectacular ‘Classical’ symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony brings its ‘A’ game”

“The National Symphony Orchestra was led by the Spanish conductor Juanjo Mena, who struck precisely the right balance of body and soul”

Spanish National Orchestra
Asier Polo (cello)
Laura Salcedo (violin)
Marie-Pierre Langlamet (harp)
Raquel Lojendio (soprano)
Juanjo Mena (conductor)

“This is an intensely musical performance and would welcome more Bruckner from this team”

“What a wonderful experience for us out in radio-land, social distancing ourselves physically but not emotionally. Many, many thousands of listeners tuned in throughout the 46 broadcast stations in the MPR network. Thank you so, so much Minnesota Orchestra, for letting us hear you play, even though the concert had been canceled. Wow! We deeply appreciate it. You are wonderful musicians and the finest humans.”

Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic’s disc of Manuel de Falla’s “La Vida Breve” has been released on the Chandos label. Featuring a stellar cast of Spanish soloists and the RTVE Chorus, it was recorded last June following a performance of the work at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall to mark Maestro Mena’s last concert in Manchester as Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic.

“There wasn’t a line of music that he didn’t energize, and the orchestra played with a discerning intelligence for him.”

The first performance on 24th November will celebrate Bilbao Opera’s 1000th concert.

“Mena directed a performance which had every necessary attribute. Firstly, the playing seemed absolutely flawless. The balance was perfect, choice of tempi was absolutely spot on at every point, there was a heavy sense of menace in the quieter passages and the savagery of the score was brilliantly evoked. It was all just about as good as could be.” (Alan Sanders, Seen and Heard International)

“On all counts: an emotionally challenging, yet emotionally satisfying, thought-provoking, absolutely exhilarating program.”

Juanjo Mena stepped in to conduct three performances of Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto with Janine Jansen, and Mahler’s Symphony No 1 with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks last week, following the cancellation of Gustavo Dudamel due to illness. Friday’s concert at the Herkulessaal in Munich was streamed live, and you can watch it here: