News

“Distancing ourselves physically but not emotionally”: Minnesota Orchestra, March 2020

“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.”

Superb reviews for Manuel de Falla’s “La Vida Breve”, which is released on Chandos

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.

5* review of Juanjo Mena’s concert with the London Philharmonic Orchestra: “An ideal mix of force and finesse in a fulfilling celebration of spring”

“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)

Watch Juanjo Mena’s debut with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

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:

A round-the-world trip to start the year

It has been a busy and rewarding start to 2017. Having seen the New Year in with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Juanjo Mena made his debut with the NHK Symphony Orchestra and received a warm welcome from orchestra and audiences alike. He then flew to Boston for what was due to be one week with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducting Prokofiev’s Symphony No.1, Weinberg’s Violin Concerto with Gidon Kremer and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4. Following the cancellation of Christoph von Dohnanyi Maestro Mena extended his stay in Boston to conduct the American premiere of Julian Anderson’s Incantesimi, Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Jean-Frédéric Neuburger and Schubert’s Symphony in C, “The Great”.

The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal: “A real treat”

“Under Maestro Juanjo Mena, the orchestra shone in a cohesion that we have not heard for a long time, which delighted our ears”
“Again, Juanjo Mena demonstrated extreme control, gleaning magnificent solos from the musicians, especially in the wind section”
“This was a real treat to hear such a beautiful version of the masterpiece Daphnis and Chloe”

Juanjo Mena is named Principal Conductor of the Cincinnati May Festival

“Juanjo was selected as the May Festival’s Principal Conductor because of his artistry, vision, and experience, along with his collaborative nature and approach,” said May Festival Board Member and Artistic Leadership Search Committee Chair Kelley Downing. “He has a strong track record with both orchestras and choruses, extensive experience with choral repertoire and a passion for the May Festival, its remarkable history and its role in the Greater Cincinnati community today.”