Homage To Heifetz – Maria Duenas

On her upcoming album, Spanish violinist María Dueñas joins forces with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and conductor Gustavo Dudamel to celebrate the iconic violinist Jascha Heifetz – whose recorded legacy has long been a key influence on Dueñas.   

Both Korngold’s Violin Concerto and Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole, as well as an orchestral arrangement of Debussy’s La fille aux cheveux de lin were recorded with the orchestra and their Music and Artistic Director at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. The album also features three other miniatures recorded in Berlin with pianist Itamar Golan: Léon Roques’ transcription of Debussy’s La plus que lente, and Heifetz’s own arrangements of the same composer’s La chevelure and Ponce’s Estrellita. 

Through his recordings, and notably the interpretations of Lalo and Korngold he set down in the early 1950s, it was the Lithuanian-born Jascha Heifetz (1901–87) who became a role model for Dueñas. A defining figure of the Golden Age of violinists, he was renowned for his technical virtuosity, molten sound and clarity of interpretation. “Having a role model is so important,” says the violinist, “someone who is a constant source of inspiration.” 

Listen to a second pre-release track of Ponce’s Estrellita. The full album is released digitally, on CD and on vinyl on 28 August and is available for pre-order.