Guest ArtistsPacho Flores, trumpet
Pacho Flores was awarded First Prize in the “Maurice André” International Contest (the most renowned trumpet contest in the world), as well as First Prize in the “Philip Jones” International Contest and First Prize in the “Cittá di Porcia” International contest. Trained in the marvelous Orchestra System for Youth and Children in Venezuela (El Sistema), he received top recognition for his performances, recitals and recordings as a soloist.
Capable of managing both classical and popular styles, Mr. Flores adds to his captivating interpretations a great deal of energy tinged with the most beautiful instrumental colors. As soloist he has performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kiev, Camerata from St. Petersburg, Orchestral Ensemble of Paris, Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine, NHK Orchestra of Japan, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra from Venezuela, the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra and the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic, among many others. He has also given recitals in concert halls such as the Carnegie Hall in New York, Pleyel Hall in Paris and the Opera City in Tokyo.
Serving as one of the founding members of the Simón Bolívar Brass Quintet, Mr. Flores has taken part in numerous tours around Europe, South America, United States and Japan. An experienced orchestral musician, he has held the Principal Trumpet position in the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Saito Kinen Orchestra from Japan, and the Miami Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of maestros like Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, Seiji Ozawa, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Rafael Frübeck of Burgos, Eduardo Marturet and Gustavo Dudamel.
As founding Director of the Latin-American Trumpet Academy in Venezuela, Mr. Flores fosters a promising generation of young talents. Mr. Flores is extremely keen on promoting contemporary music, providing important contributions by means of the performance and interpretation of his instrument. His repertoire includes commissions and premieres of works by composers such as Roger Boutry, Efraín Oscher, Giancarlo Castro, Santiago Báez, Juan Carlos Nuñez and Sergio Bernal.
Recently Mr. Flores has carried out an important concert tour across Norway and Austria with the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic under the direction of maestro and composer Christian Lindberg, interpreting Lindberg’s concerto Akbank Bunka for Trumpet and Orchestra, making his debut at the Fiestpielhaus of Salzburg and at the Musikverein of Vienna. His first album, La Trompeta Venezolana, was released by the Guataca Producciones record label.
A Stomvi Artist, Pacho Flores plays instruments that have been exclusively manufactured for him by this renowned firm, and he is actively involved in the development and innovation of his instruments. Mr. Flores is a Deutsche Grammophon exclusive artist with three recordings: Cantar with Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin and Christian Vásquez; Entropía, Gold Medal of the Global Music Awards; and Fractales with the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic and Christian Lindberg.