News
November2011
Argia Magazine
The piano Princess, by Montserrat Auzmendi
Judith Jáuregui is one of the best pianists of our times. She has musicality and technique to spare, and what's more, she is a true princess, her main characteristic being her elegance. She possesses elegant musicality and aristocratic bearing, as well as approachability and humilty. As a result, over the past few years she has become one of the stars of classical music.
The protagonist of the third concert for OSE suscribers was Jáuregui, who played Mozart Concerto No. 20 in D minor. She displayed great naturalness. Technically, the work was not particularly complicated, apart from its expression. The risk with a Mozart Concerto is that there is the possibility it might be played note after note, without any emotion. However, this time the pianist knew how to draw out the feeling and essence that lay beneath the score, and gave a serious version. She played Beethoven's Cadences. Marvellous. At the end of the concert she treated the audience to an encore, choosing Liszt's Consolation No.3, which was truly magical.
November2011
El Diario Vasco
Demanding Mozart, by Aitor Álvarez
What an exiting challenge Judith had ahead of her, on her home ground and with her orchestra, to surprise with a piece that was non-too-easy but nevertheless a warhorse in the repertoire of the great performers. She has undoubtedly achieved her wish to convert the piano into another member of the orchestra, through dinamics that come from training and an instrument with a sound its own, more opaque than bright. Judith demonstrated elegance in every movement, passion in the way she tackled every motif, and conveyed sensivity in every gesture. Moreover, her connection with the orchestra was evident.
November2011
El Norte de Castilla
Great bearing, by José María Morate
The demeanor of the San Sebastian pianist, winner of the Frechilla-Zuloaga Piano Competition four years ago, as she approached the piano, led us to expect a musical session that would be soft and delicious at times; especially as her entire programme dealt with the "Fantasy" genre. And the reality confirmed the initial visual impression. She began with Mozart Fantasy in D Minor, KV. 397, a delicate opening, suspending the phrases in the air with great feeling, varying tempi seeking lightness and surprise in her personal version. Following that, we were treated to Brahms 7 Fantasies op. 116, performed as a whole. One after the other, they showed contrast and control, elegant serenity and good taste, with final droplets of passion, musicality, the simulation of steps at different speeds, with the artist's subtle irony linked with tenderness. The final fantasy, describing the fears and doubts that the earlier joyful peace would end in death is what posed the greatest technical difficulties, which were, however, easily resolved.
The second part raised the pianistic level -the musical level was already very high- with Scriabin's Fantasy op. 28, structured in Sonata form, typical of late romanticism in that it anticipates slight atonalities, and intense and varied dynamics. Judith gave meaning and value to Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy in C Major, op. 15, making it the jewel in the programme. She felt totally in her element here, as her fine touch, internalisation, and care and enjoyment of the sound are perfectly suited to this Fantasy, bringing out the themes derived from a single motif, and unifying the four movements through which it runs. The audience responded with roundly enthusiastic applause.
October2011
El País
The blessed 26, by Miguel Pérez
Although they are savouring the sweetness of success, the innocent sense of illusion hasn´t yet vanished from their eyes. Ana María Valderrama, Manuel Blanco, and Judith Jáuregui meet in Madrid this week for an interview that is more like a get-together of friends. Valderrama (Madrid, 1985) is a violinist and has emerged triumphant from the Pablo Sarasate International Violin Competition - "This award had never before been won by a Spanish violinist" -; trumpeter Blanco (Daimiel, Ciudad Real, 1985) has just been awarded first prize from Bavarian Radio, only won by another two trumpeters in history; and the latest piano album from Jáuregui (San Sebastian, 1985) was recently named Best Classical Album at the Independent Music Awards.
August2011
Mundoclásico
Impressive energy, by Juan Krakenberger
An interesting and demanding programme, aided by the good acoustics in the Crypt Chapel in Cambrils, treated us to an hour and a half of fine music, played with great dedication and mastery. The young Basque pianist Judith Jáuregui (San Sebastian, 1985) performed some little-known works from the Spanish repertoire and then some 19th-century European music.
August2011
La Vanguardia Magazine
Schumann in jeans, by Juan Luis Álvarez
Hailed as the new sensation in Spanish classical music, Judith Jáuregui, the 26-year-old pianist from San Sebastian, slight in physique but powerful in expression – whether it be opinions or musical notes – her aim is to "put jeans on Schumann or whoever else requires it, as one doesn´t need to understand technique in order to enjoy the music."
July2011
El País
Classical from the under 35, by Lino Portela
She’s blonde, tall, and pretty. On 20 June, when Judith Jáuregui, 26, went up to the stage of the Casa de América wearing jeans at the Independent Music Awards, many could have mistaken her for a pop singer. But Judith was picking up her award for Best Classical Album for her CD Robert Schumman. El arte de lo pequeño. Born in San Sebastian, she has been renting a flat in Chamberí, Madrid, for the past 3 years and often pops out for a few beers in the Malasaña district or around the Plaza de Olavide (also a late night drinking spot) and rehearses daily in the Ritmo & Compás studios, surrounded by long-haired rockers who love to watch her play. "If I could play in jeans, I would be happy", explains one of the most promising artists on the Spanish classical music scene. "Classical music is sometimes ‘overdressed’, which tends to distance it from the audience, as so much formality can be a bit intimidating. You don’t have to understand classical music to be able to appreciate it. It’s all about feeling", she says.
June2011
El Correo
Judith Jáuregui, wins the Independent Music Awards, with "Robert Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño" voted Best Classical Album
The young pianist Judith Jáuregui has won the classical album category of the Independent Music Awards with her CD Robert Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño. On this, her first solo album, she plays a series of the German composer’s miniatures for piano with intensity and a great display of subtleties. And miniature they may be in the duration of the scores, but certainly not in the quality or technical difficulty of their treatment.
Judith is already more than a promising artist of Basque and Spanish classical music. She belongs to a generation of pianists the likes of whom this country has never seen before. Just over a year ago there was a lengthy article about these young artists (among them Javier Perianes, Luis Fernando Pérez, and Iván Martín) who have found success all over the world. None are from Bilbao (Judith is from San Sebastian) but all are linked to the city through their years of participation at the Musika-Música festival. Here we should mention Begoña Salinas, director of the festival organiser, Fundación Bilbao 700, who was one of the first to spot Judith’s talent. Her award-winning album was also among the best albums of the year selected by the Territorios Sevilla festival last December.
June2011
TVE - Spanish Television
Interview for the TV Show "Programa de mano"
Programa de mano, TVE, interviewed pianist Judith Jáuregui, one of the great talents of her generation. Acclaimed by the critics, she has performed on the main stages in Spain and at many prestigious festivals (Quincena Musical in San Sebastian, the Perelada Festival, the Granada Festival, and the Roque d'Antheron Festival in France.
June2011
Scherzo Magazine
A tribute to German music, by Jose Antonio Cantón
The 23rd Úbeda International Music and Dance Festival. As regards recitals and small groups, the young San Sebastian pianist, Judith Jáuregui, gave a superb performance of a monographic programme of Schumann, which highlighted her delicate sound and great maturity in understanding the ever-complicated style of this composer.
May2011
Ibera Excelence Magazine
Without music there's no life, by Judith Jáuregui
Great thinkers have praised it. Nietzsche declared: "Without music, life would be an error". But what is music? According the Spanish Royal Academy it is "the art of combining the sounds of the human voice or of instruments, or of both at the same time, to delight and affect feelings, either sad or happy". As someone dedicated to this art, I feel that music is one of the great weapons that human beings have created to communicate: to express feelings that cannot be expresed through wods and to experience a living or imaginated reality where we feel protected. Music makes us dance, laugh, cry; it moves and sometimes even makes us catch our breath. Some people claim it has healing properties and reduces anxiety and stress. There are even people who recommend that it be listened to during pregnancy because it can stimulate the baby.
Music is my life. It accompanies me always and never leaves me, through the music I bear my soul to the public and it brings me so many moments of hapiness. I am a classical pianist and I spend the day immersed in what's called "cultured music", a concept I fearcely dispute. At the age of 26, I try to take music out of an elitist straitjacket. To feel, it's not necessary to understand. And music - whether it's classical, rock, pop, house or any other style- has that divine power of uniting all human beings, of overcoming barriers, races, religion, or social classes in a single language: emotion. It makes us feel alive. That's why it's so necessary in our lives. May music be with us always!
April2011
Diario de Jerez
A clear and energetic recital from the young pianist Judith Jáuregui at the Villamarta
With water as the common theme, this Thursday the Villamarta theatre presents the young and promising Basque pianist: Judith Jáuregui. Last year she broke onto the Spanish music scene with her delicate and romantic album "El arte de lo pequeño" (The art of small things), dedicated to Robert Shumann, and received a warm welcome from audiences and critics alike at festivals and concerts in which she has played.
March2011
Diario de Sevilla
Small but great art, by Pablo J. Vayón
Judith Jáuregui (San Sebastian, 1985) is emerging as one of the most promising figures in Spanish piano music. In her first album, the pianist brings us closer to the world of the miniaturist Schumann, composer of the small works that make up Papillons op. 2 and Fantasiestücke op. 12, rounded off with the virtuosic Allegro op. 8. Jáuregui shows absolute control over the technical difficulties of the works, which she performs with kaleidoscopic attention to the details which distinguish them, rendering clean, transparent, and poetic versions.
March2011
El Cultural
Review of the album "Robert Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño", by Rafael Banús
The 25-year-old San Sebastian pianist could not have had a more successful album debut. The world of Schumann is particularly difficult to decipher, even more so in these little pieces shrouded in mystery that make up Fantasiestücke opus 12, which she handles with an irresistible combination of poetic concentration and expressive freshness, as well as with fantasy and imagination required by these marvellous miniatures. The same is true of the two works that complete the CD: Papillons opus 2 and Allegro opus 8. The sound quality has the necessary naturalness required by a magical keystroke.
March2011
La Vanguardia
Future spring, by Jorge de Persia
Joy, vitality, fine technique, and the quest for the necessary freedom that defines her language. This is how we can sum up this concert, and the high-standard CD (a Schumann monograph) recorded by Judith Jáuregui with Columna Música.
The young pianist especially thrilled the public with Brahms Fantasies op. 116, a highly demanding, complex piece of great contrasts, delivering a thoughtful and solid version which showed her fine grasp of the phrasing and demonstrated her skill in the moments of virtuosity. Fantasiestücke op. 12, by Schumann, is a freer and fresher work, which resulted in a performance rich in contrasts and expressive dynamism. The planes in which the phrase is expressed requires great control and, at the beginning of Des Abends, she was able to shine through the difficult balance with the left hand, thus ensuring relevance and freedom of phrasing. A magnificent concert that culminated with a delicate and colourful Mompou, and especially with a splendid version of L'Isle Joyeuse by Debussy.
March2011
Catalunya Música
Notes de clàssica
Interview for the Notes de clàssica radio programme the day before presenting her album "Robert Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño", at the Auditorium in Barcelona.
February2011
Melómano Magazine
Review of the Robert Schumann album, "El arte de lo pequeño".
We gladly welcome the first album recording by the young pianist Judith Jáuregui, launched last December in the Museum of Romanticism in Madrid - what better place to hear this work dedicated to three great pieces by a young Robert Schumann. The programme was personally chosen by Jáuregui, and was composed of Papillons Op.2, Allegro Op.8 and Fantasiestücke Op.12.
With the first two pieces she delighted the audience gathered for the launch, with such convincing technique and expressive self-assurance that, if we permit ourselves the whimsy of bringing the composer back to life, the mad genius would once again fall in love, abandon his beloved Clara Wieck and come to Spain to pay court and homage to Judith Jáuregui. And he would listen incessantly to this excellent album, a minor art for a great artist, recorded for the Columna Música label as part of the Juventudes Musicales de España collection. In this highly personal album, the San Sebastian pianist controls every note, every compliment, even in the expressive silences. Many pianists would like to make such a grand entrance to the world of recording as the young pianist has done.
February2011
Spanish National Radio
Interview for the Música joven programme, by Beatriz Torío.
El arte de lo pequeño (The art of small things) is the title of the first solo album by Judith Jáuregui, the 25-year-old San Sebastian pianist. Her talent and work have made her one of the big names in piano music in Spain. She is our guest on the programme today and we’ll be talking about her album –a tribute to Robert Schumann–, her training, and upcoming projects.
January2011
Yo Dona Magazine
Love for Schumann.
El arte de lo pequeño (The art of small things) is the title of the first solo album by Judith Jáuregui (San Sebastian, 1985). The recording includes two of the best-known works of German composer Robert Schumann, Papillons and Fantasiestücke, "small musical impressions that bring together all the great works", says the Basque pianist.
January2011
Diario Vasco
Technique and Character, by María José Cano.
With tickets completely sold out -although a few places remained- and a more than respectful silence, the San Sebastian audience welcomed pianist Judith Jáuregui, who debuted at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre with a demanding solo recital. Various 'fantasies' by composers such as Mozart, Brahms, Scriabin, and Schumann made up the repertory, perfect for gauging the technique and character of any performer.
As regards technique, Jáuregui proved herself to be up there with the best pianists alive today. Not a single hesitation, or slip, or a moment when her immaculate finger work faltered. She seemed to blossom during the most compromised moments and handled the sound and attack with amazing confidence. Her technical mastery was evident in Brahms Op. 116, a difficult cycle which the San Sebastian pianist showed she had mastered down to the last detail. The other aspect, that of character, was another great achievement by this pianist who will soon be rubbing shoulders with the piano greats.
And Judith Jáuregui has a lot of character, she does not come across as a young performer. This was apparent with her initial Mozart; a Brahms rendition unsuitable for immature performers – which she could perhaps have let flow a little more freely, even if it meant sacrificing technical perfection a little; and, above all, a terrific-sounding Scriabin. Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, which culminated the concert, was a mix of fragility and tenderness, palpable in the initial Des Abends, and also passion and sudden outbursts– as in Aufschwung for example, in an interpretation that treated the audience to beautiful art, and an expert combination of technique and character.
January2011
Radio SER
Hoy por hoy radio programme, by Vanessa Rodriguez.
The San Sebastian pianist, Judith Jáuregui, joined us yesterday in the studio to talk about her career and the concert today, Wednesday 26 January, at 8pm in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre in San Sebastian, where she will play fantasies by Mozart, Brahms, Scriabin, and Schumann.
January2011
EITB Radio
Interview for Graffiti, by Juan Carlos de Rojo and Félix Linares.
One of the pianists with the greatest future ahead of them at the moment is Judith Jáuregui. With a packed schedule (Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona, etc.) the 25-year-old artist will join us and take a look back at the past and also towards the future. Do you know she made her piano debut when was 12? Or that she played in San Sebastian’s City Hall when she was only 8?
January2011
El Cultural
La última palabra, by Benjamín García-Rosado.
The new face of Spanish piano music, Judith Jáuregui (San Sebastian, 1985), has just finished recording her first solo album El arte de lo pequeño, which she decided to dedicate to Schumann. On Thursday she’s at the Philharmonic Society of Malaga to play a varied selection of work by composers Falla, Albéniz, Mompou, Brahms, Mozart etc., which she will perform over the year at various venues in Spain.
January2011
Onda Cero Radio
"You have to put jeans on classical music".
Interview for the well-known Onda Cero radio programme Julia en la onda.
December2010
Spanish National Radio
Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño, by Mavi Aldana
We interviewed Judith Jaúregui who, following an intense year of work, presents her first album as a soloist: Schumann , el arte de lo pequeño (Schumann, the art of small things). Judith says she has always felt an affinity with Schumann, from his intimate and dreamy side, to the more temperamental and passionate, which is why her first work is dedicated to this particular composer. Judith has a full concert schedule lined up for 2011.
December2010
Diverdi
Review of the album Robert Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño, by Arturo Reverter
The young San Sebastian pianist on this CD is very fortunate. To be able to play Schumann like this at the age of 25 is as surprising as it is beautiful. Undoubtedly, hours and hours of study lie behind this record, as well as a lot of talent. Jáuregui has evidently made the most of the tuition she received from her conservatoire teacher, Cristina Navajas and the instruction from Claudio Martínez-Mehner in Salamanca and Vadim Suchanov in Munich. However, there is no denying that the pianist was born with the divine finger pointing at her. Her many qualities could be enjoyed a few seasons ago at concerts given by young musicians of the Scherzo Foundation. These qualities include that sureness of fingering, control of the mechanism, the play with dynamics and the sense of form, long or short. Amen to this mysterious touch that gives us a clear sense of the quality of timbre.
December2010
La Razón
Con firma propia, by Jesús Amilibia
Judith Jáuregui. Profession: Pianist. Born in 1985, in San Sebastian. Why she is here: to present her first album, Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño.
December2010
Intereconomía Radio
Véngase conmigo, by José María Prieto
When women reach such greatness that wins them admiration it is because behind it lies talent, dedication, enthusiasm and many other qualities. And this is what we have here today: a woman who is passionate about her profession and, to quote the experts, has a great future ahead of her. In this part of the programme, "Now, women" we have such a woman - the pianist Judith Jáuregui.
December2010
El Diario Vasco
The donostiarra pianist records her first album with works by the German composer, by Enrique Mingo
The young pianist from San Sebastian, Judith Jauregui (1985), who will play on 26 January in the Victoria Eugenia as part of the Classical season, has just released Schumann, el arte de lo pequeño, her first album as a soloist, dedicated to a composer “who I have always felt an affinity with, his passionate and extreme character”. The musician who, following the recording, is giving various recitals, sees the current crisis as “an opportunity for her” as well as for many other talented young artists.
October2010
Glamour Magazine
GEMS Report - The women they love
Following in the path of the writer Stieg Larsson, there are many men who see in us a great example to follow. Here we introduce you to our own particular Generation of Outstanding Women, capable of performing, writing, designing or creating music with as much passion, enthusiasm and effort as the very first day. Congratulations! [...]
Judith Jáuregui - 2010 has been a great year for this young Basque pianist who has seen her dream of recording her first album become a reality. “For me it was a great joy. To have an album is the best recommendation you can have and it is my particular way of creating stories within me.” If you still haven’t heard Judith’s wonderful art, this autumn she is giving concerts all over Spain, bringing her music to everybody (judithjauregui.com). “I want to get very far, to spend my whole life doing this. I’m delighted that my work is recognised”, she says enthusiastically.
September2010
Basque Television
Interview for the TV programme EITB Cultura
Judith Jáuregui plays tribute to Robert Schumann on her first solo album, which forms part of the Juventudes Musicales collection released by Columna Música.
June2010
El Diario Vasco
The young San Sebastian pianist with a blossoming career, takes on the recording of her first CD, by María José Cano
She has recently turned 25 and it seems she was born for music. The San Sebastian artist, through her own merit, ranks among the most brilliant of Spanish pianists to emerge in recent years. Her name is already well known at festivals such as the International Festival in Granada, the Quincena Musical in San Sebastian and la Roque d'Anthéron in France and she has just finished recording her first solo album, a tribute to Schumann, which is sure to create a stir. We chatted to her about the life of a young woman dedicated to piano.
May2010
Spanish Television
Interview for the TV programme Últimas Preguntas
Today we are talking about the values of youth, as personified in the young and promising pianist: Judith Jaúregui.
April2010
Scherzo Magazine
Festival Musika-Música 2010, by Asier Vallejo
The recital given by the young Judith Jáuregui from San Sebastian, recently returned from the Ciclo de Jóvenes Intérpretes of this foundation, was truly revelatory: the warm and sensitive musicality she drew from her piano expanded the subtle and velvety beauty of its sound to an effusive and passionate intensity, especially in the case of Chopin’s Impromptus, which was transformed into an increasingly rich and exuberant lyricism.
April2010
Diario El Correo
Young and brimming with talent, by César Coca
It is only 10 years ago - around the time the world breathed a sigh of relief to find that the millennium curse was but a rumour - since Judith Jáuregui was an adolescent walking around San Sebastián with her portfolio full of musical scores. Javier Perianes, who shortly before that was still dreaming about music in his native Huelva, was completing his studies and starting to believe that one day he could make a living from his performances. Likewise with Luis Fernando Pérez from Madrid and Iván Martín of the Canary Islands. The four of them, now between the ages of 25 (Judith recently celebrated her 25th birthday) and 32 (Pérez), form part of the most brilliant generation of young pianists that Spain has ever seen. Although young, they have plenty of experience behind them. All four have embarked upon an international career, recorded records or are about to do so and have won various awards. Their schedules are packed with performance dates for all over the world. This is talent in its purest state.
September2009
Catalunya Música - XIII Temporada de Música de Cámara de Santa Cristina d'Aro
Cotrapunt Radio Programme, by Xavier Chavarría
[…] Seasons like Santa Cristina d’Aro are a haven for true music lovers. And, truly, the star of the concert was worth it; Judith Jáuregui is one of the best pianist of her generation. Only 24 years of age, she already shows not only an amazing technique but also an unusual maturity. She has character, understands the music and plays it with passion. Today, her potential has no limits […]
She offered us a round trip that began and ended with Chopin, taking in Mompou, and an almost orchestral Debussy at the pinnacle of the recital. And with every author she could show different virtues. Indeed, with L’Isle Joyeuse, by Debussy, she made the piano sound almost like an orchestra, with energy and conviction, with a rich timbre and generous, ample sonority. Chopin is one of her specialities, and the dizzying scales of the three Impromptus began the concert, showing her virtuous and quintessential technique. Clear, brilliant and with absolute precision, weaving each line and voice into a transparent and elegant tapestry.
Mompou doesn´t allow for much fussing around and it’s necessary to go straight to the essence. It’s goldsmithing in sound, musical symbolism that requires great delicacy, simplicity and exquisite taste. Every chord, every note must have the proper weight, whether in the Scènes d'enfants or in the Variations of a Chopin theme. Judith Jáuregui achieved a prodigious balance of sensual and magical sonorities […] The Grand Polonaise in E flat and the Mazurca, opus 17, as an encore, was a brilliant close to an exciting recital.
August2009
Diario La Vanguardia - XXIII Festival Castell de Peralada
Top, by Jorge de Persia
[...] This excellent concert culminated in the meteoric Quintet in E flat major by Schumann, with the participation of the remarkable pianist Judith Jáuregui [...] The rendition, as should be the case, was brilliant in expression, with transparency in the thematic structure, a convincing fugue, accents and rhythms in the Trio, strong individual voices and, above all, musicality [...] The best session so far without a doubt.
August2009
El Diario Vasco - 70th Quincena Musical de San Sebastián
A beautiful union, by Aitor Álvarez
As part of the 1900-1936: Tiempos de Vanguardia season, which aims to reflect the cultural ferment that took place during the earlier decades of the twentieth century between San Sebastian and Biarritz, Quincena staged an original concert that offered up music and recited poetry in equal measure.
While many thought the two elements would come together during the performance of the pieces, which would indeed have been an interesting exercise, the audience were made to wait until the end, as though it were a tip, for music and poetry to finally embrace in a common space of time and which, incidentally, never detracted from each other.
Jáuregui opened up with three delicious Basque Preludes by Aita Donostia, which gave us a glimpse of the abilities she would show throughout the concert, combined in a passionate style and rich expressive strength. Following this, Uribe recited poems of the most important Basque writers of the time. Two beautiful piano works by Albéniz were followed by a Bartok, played by Jáuregui with the self-assurance and character required of such a piece. To conclude this delightful event we were treated to three poems in Euskera by foreign authors and two Goyesque piano pieces from Granados, the former laden with sorrow and melancholy and the latter brimming with bravura
August2009
Argia Magazine - 70th Quincena Musical de San Sebastián
Heat, music and words, by Montserrat Auzmendi
[…] To begin with, Judith Jaúregui performed three Aita Donostia preludes: namely, Bat-batian, Oñazez and Artzai gaztearen oiuak. These were pure and classic interpretations, as the works of Aita Donostia require. The young pianist also offered us various lesser-known pieces by Albéniz. Both Plegaria and Polonesa were performed in just the way they should be.
However, this pianist, only 24 years old, certainly demonstrated her musical maturity when performing works by Bartok and Granados. She gave an excellent rendition of Bartok’s 6 Romanian Dances. Everything was just right and well-prepared: A balanced “rubato”, nothing excessive, a marked rhythm and a somewhat naive style… […]
El pelele (Granados) was magnificent and resplendent. Technically perfect and musically charming and appealing. […]
August2009
Easyclassic - 29th Festival International de Piano de La Roque d'Anthéron
Nuit de Chopin, by Gérard Abrial
[…] A curriculum vitae that mentions the “Festival International de Piano de La Roque d'Anthéron” and, moreover, the playground of the greatest, Parque de Florans, is surely an open door to the future, a major step to exploring the world of Steinways and Bechsteins.
Enthusiasm for a Martha Argerich or Aldo Ciccolini recital is understandable. The risk of disappointment is minimal. But to come to hear musicians in the early stages of their career is a “melomaniacal” act that is more exciting in a way. From this perspective, the audience at this Night of Chopin will have been compensated a million times over for their curiosity.
[…] Judith Jáuregui, with a clear, light touch, and equipped with a sober musical thought, delivered an elegant Chopin[…] Later, she played the Variations of Mompou, inspired by the lover of Nohant. The style was always pleasant, sometimes anecdotal. Relieved by having achieved a very fine concert, the young Spanish pianist with arms like the wings of an albatross, gave the audience the most beautiful smile of this 2009 edition […]
July2009
Diario Ideal - 58th International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada
Coffee with Albéniz and Chopin, by José Antonio Lacárcel
The Café Concierto was a total success. Really, excellent. We were offered exceptional quality by a very young pianist from San Sebastian, with a programme graced with moments of extraordinary brilliance. The pianist, -remember the name, because it’s sure to be talked about-, Judith Jáuregui, brought together two piano greats. The first, Chopin, a world-famous Pole, the other, Albéniz, a world-famous Spaniard. Judith Jáuregui offered us the Albéniz who is less known, but also very interesting, combining salon pieces, such as “Amalia”, the waltz known as “L’automne”, and especially the beautiful “Mallorca”, a work that showed us the characteristic features of a musician intensely committed to Spanish music. Amidst all of this, we had a beautiful, robust and brilliant “Bolero in C Major”, by Chopin. And again, the less familiar Albéniz, namely of the “Doce piezas características”, of which four were rendered. And, to round off a fascinating Chopin, the “Andante Spianato and Grand Brilliant Polonaise op.22”.
How well, and with such good taste, with such delicacy Jáuregui played. She shone at every moment, but especially with Chopin. There she seemed to be in her element, she reached deep into the music of the piano genius and succeeded in transmitting a world of emotions, thanks to a superbly polished technique and a capacity to recreate the eternal Chopin.
It was a short but beautiful concert. Albéniz and Chopin, two different perspectives at the piano, different yet very close, and a young and exquisite artist.
May2009
Diario El Correo
Six artists explain to 'Territorios' Albéniz's works, which they know well
A step in a pianist’s career. This is the way pianists approach Albéniz’s scores, in particular the Suite Iberia, full of incredible technical difficulties, which have to be solved as the same time as one creates a special atmosphere because at times, Albeniz’s piano should not sound like a piano but like a guitar or as castanets. Six Spanish pianists from various generations explain what it has meant for them to bury themselves in these scores and how they understand the music of one of the essential composers of the Spanish culture.
April2009
Revista Variaciones
The Proust Questionnaire
At the end of the nineteenth century, when Proust was still in his teens, he answered a questionnaire in an English-language Confession album belonging to his friend Antoinette, daughter of the future President Félix Faure, entitled “An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc.” At that time, it was a fad among English families to answer such a list of questions that revealed the tastes and aspirations of the taker. Subject to a few changes, we ask our protagonists to answer this questionnaire to present a brief and precise portrait to our readers…
February2009
Diario El Correo
The young Basque pianist, one of the promising figures of classical music returns to the Bilbao festival where she started in 2008
Aged 23, this young artist has an impressive curriculum: she has won prizes such as the Frechilla-Zuloaga in Valladolid and the Young Pianist of Albacete. She has performed during the Quincena Musical de San Sebastián, at La Roque d'Anthéron, at the festival Castell de Peralada and at Musika-Música in Bilbao. She has given recitals and performed with orchestras in and outside Spain. Her name is Judith Jáuregui and the critics all agree that she is one of the rising stars of the Spanish piano scene.
January2009
La Tribuna de Albacete
Extraordinary performance, full of nuances and so evocative, by Ramón Martínez
[...] The second half of the concert started with Liszt’s Concerto in E flat. It is divided in three movements. In the first movement, Allegro molto moderato, the amazing mastery of the young pianist left the public astounded. The Adagio showed us the ability of both her hands and the excellent training she has received. In the Allegro moderato molto marcato, Judith excelled herself receiving a standing ovation and, with the director, had to aknowledge many times the warm welcome.
September2008
Diario Vasco
The future is young, by María José Cano
^[...] Everything taken into account, it is strange that the best concerts of the 69th edition of the Quincena have been performed by the young artists. Without any doubt, the best orchestra has been the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, the most acclaimed director has been Tugan Sokhiev and the Orchestre du Capitole of Toulouse and the young Basque pianist Judith Jáuregui has been the great surprise amongst the soloists. All this shows that the future is young, but only on the stage…
August2008
Diario Vasco
Brilliant personality, by María José Cano
It seems unbelievable that the child who presented herself years back in all her innocence at the San Sebastian piano competition is the same young woman who performed yesterday at the Palacio Miramar. Judith Jáuregui was on a par with the best artists not as a young promise for the future – which would correspond to her 23 years- but a mature artist. She presented herself at the Quincena with a demanding programme both at the technical and expressive level. Her technique – her playing is both powerful and brillant- enabled her to tackle the repertory with great ease. But if Judith’s control over sound, her understanding of music and the intensity of her playing were exceptional, what astonished us most were her personality and her character. This is what made the difference and what only great pianists are able to bring out on stage. With all these qualities, one can guess how she presented her well-chosen programme. From the first piece she played by Grieg, it was easy to imagine what her recital would be like: passionate, alive. Judith Jáuregui does not leave anything to chance but her music never feels constrained. If Grieg was expressive, Mompou was all sweetness and gave way to a controlled Debussy. Nothing better than Rachmaninov to crown a magnificent concert! Do not forget her name, she is going to be news!
August2008
Diario Vasco
The Basque pianist, who performs for the first time at the Quincena, will today give a recital at the Palacio Miramar
She is only 23 but has just been playing at the International Piano Festival of La Roque d’Anthéron. She will perform at the Ciclo de Jóvenes Interpretes the same programme, which was such a roaring success in France.
May2008
Scherzo Magazine
Excellent recital by Judith Jáuregui, from beginning to end. By Joaquín Arnau Amo
She is audacious with the left pedal. She is not afraid of silences. In other words, she enjoys herself and pleases us in some dark corners full of meaning and tensions. She is wise although so young. She is not a precocious pianist: she is not on the border line between miracle and catastrophy. She is young and one would usually say that she promises but she gives already so much of what she promises that saying that would be redundant. Her recital was not only excellent but as well amazing [...]Mompou does not hold any secrets for Judith Jáuregui, but she has some for Mompou. It is the magic of the performer who discovers the composer, not only for the audience but for the composer himself [...] Liszt was brillant because Liszt is all brillance, ideal to show technique, talent and character. Remember because one will talk about her…or remain silent listening.
March2008
La Tribuna de Albacete
The winner of the XVIIth Concurso de Jóvenes Pianistas Ciudad de Albacete is in the news again
[...]Augustín Peiró believes that without any exageration Judith Jáuregui is a real discovery, an authentic figure in Music (with the capital letter!). Although she is young, she has all the qualities of exceptional artists who with each performance touch the deepest emotions of the listener. This is why I encourage the public to fill the concert hall with all its warmth and exercise that healthy selfishness of listening to great music, which talented fingers are able to transmit and create a necessary and unforgettable moment.
