Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico

Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico is a full time ensemble, a unique formation in the world of classical music. Writing about Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico, the press has said: “...they are a true discovery, demonstrate the perfection of a string quartet and com- bine the volume of a small chamber orches- tra with Mediterranean passion.” The same press described the concerts with Teresa Berganza in Amsterdam, Brussels and at French festivals as  “...highlights of the season.” The world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma said in an interview: “This ensemble is a treasure indeed, a fine example to the world of music... Wherever I play: Brazil, Japan, USA, people talk to me about Conjunto Ibérico... Elias Arizcuren is a visionary, who has achieved something absolutely unique with his group.” The career of Conjunto Ibérico, founded in 1989 by Elias Arizcuren and supported by Mstislav Rostropovich and Yo-Yo Ma, could be summarised as 13 CDs (2 in preparation) and over 65 first performances of works by today’s most notable composers. Thanks to Elias Arizcuren’s tenacity, the Cello Octet is able to offer original works, most of them dedicated to Conjunto Ibérico, by com- posers including Xenakis, Nobre, Halffter, Pärt, Boulez, Donatoni, De Pablo, Bus- sotti, Denisov, Loevendie, Riley, Kagel and Glass. Conjunto Ibérico also plays some 100 beautiful Spanish songs (Turina, De Falla, Nin, Montsalvatge, Granados, Guridi, Albéniz) and South-Americans (Villa-Lobos, Ginastera, Guastavino, Piazzolla) that have been a pleasant surprise to many an audi- ence for several years.
Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico has shown enormous diversity over the years: concerts with Teresa Berganza or Bernarda Fink, dance productions with Conny Janssen’s Rotterdam dance company, concerts with flamenco singer Carmen Linares and pre- mières of works by reputed composers. In addition to the concerts in many European countries and at prominent festivals, Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico has also performed in Asia, Israel, South-America, the United States and Canada.