Ícaro
Alex Olmedo, violonchelo · Fiona Mato, piano
Obras de Benejam · Cassadó · Oltra · Nin Castellanos
El mito de Ícaro ha simbolizado, a lo largo de los siglos, la osadía creadora, el deseo de libertad y el vértigo del riesgo. Con este nuevo lanzamiento de IBS Classical, el joven violonchelista Alex Olmedo y la pianista Fiona Mato emprenden su propio vuelo musical, trazando un recorrido apasionante por el repertorio español del siglo XX. ÍCARO no es solo un título evocador: es una declaración artística.
El programa reúne cuatro compositores fundamentales del ámbito hispánico —Joaquín Nin de Castellanos, Lluís Benejam, Manuel Oltra y Gaspar Cassadó— cuyas obras dialogan entre la tradición popular, el nacionalismo estilizado y la influencia del impresionismo francés. El disco se abre con la refinada Seguida española (1930) de Nin de Castellanos, partitura nacida en el contexto parisino de principios de siglo, donde la identidad española se funde con el color armónico de Debussy y Ravel. Sus breves movimientos, inspirados en danzas regionales, despliegan una paleta expresiva llena de sutileza y elegancia.
Uno de los grandes acontecimientos del álbum es la recuperación de la Sonata en La mayor (1954) de Lluís Benejam, una obra prácticamente desconocida que se presenta aquí en grabación de referencia. Rescatada de los archivos del Conservatorio de Barcelona, esta partitura revela una sorprendente riqueza tímbrica, un lirismo expansivo y un lenguaje que conjuga herencias impresionistas con impulsos rítmicos cercanos al jazz. Su inclusión convierte este proyecto en una valiosa aportación musicológica al repertorio.
La Sonata (1959) de Manuel Oltra, por su parte, muestra al compositor en plena madurez creativa: equilibrio formal, intensidad expresiva y un diálogo camerístico vibrante que exige máxima compenetración entre los intérpretes. Cierra el programa la célebre Requiebros (1929) de Gaspar Cassadó, dedicada a Pau Casals, donde el virtuosismo y el rubato apasionado evocan tanto la raíz popular como la teatralidad expresiva del gran repertorio español.
Alex Olmedo —formado entre Barcelona, París y Hamburgo— despliega un sonido cálido y elocuente, de gran madurez interpretativa. A su lado, Fiona Mato aporta una versatilidad excepcional y una sensibilidad refinada, construyendo un equilibrio camerístico de admirable cohesión.
Con ÍCARO, IBS Classical reafirma su compromiso con la recuperación del patrimonio musical español y la proyección internacional de nuevas generaciones de intérpretes. Un vuelo audaz, luminoso y profundamente inspirado.
About (ENG)
The myth of Icarus has long symbolised creative daring, the longing for freedom, and the vertigo of risk. With this new release from IBS Classical, young cellist Alex Olmedo and pianist Fiona Mato undertake their own musical flight, tracing a compelling journey through twentieth-century Spanish repertoire. ICARUS is not merely an evocative title — it is an artistic statement.
The programme brings together four essential figures of the Hispanic musical sphere — Joaquín Nin de Castellanos, Lluís Benejam, Manuel Oltra and Gaspar Cassadó — whose works move between stylised nationalism, popular tradition and the refined influence of French impressionism. The album opens with Nin de Castellanos’ elegant Spanish Suite (1930), conceived within the vibrant Parisian milieu of the early twentieth century, where Spanish identity merges with the harmonic colours of Debussy and Ravel. Its brief movements, inspired by regional dances, unfold with subtlety, transparency and expressive finesse.
One of the album’s major highlights is the revival of Lluís Benejam’s Sonata in A major (1954), a virtually unknown work presented here in a landmark recording. Rescued from the archives of the Conservatory of Barcelona, the sonata reveals remarkable timbral richness, expansive lyricism and a language that combines impressionistic sonorities with rhythmic impulses reminiscent of jazz. Its inclusion represents a significant contribution to the rediscovery of twentieth-century Spanish chamber music.
Manuel Oltra’s Sonata (1959), composed in his mature period, displays formal balance, expressive intensity and a vibrant chamber dialogue that demands the highest level of artistic synergy. The programme concludes with the celebrated Requiebros (1929) by Gaspar Cassadó, dedicated to Pau Casals, a work in which virtuosity and passionate rubato evoke both folkloric roots and theatrical brilliance.
Alex Olmedo — trained in Barcelona, Paris and Hamburg — offers a warm, eloquent tone and striking artistic maturity. Alongside him, Fiona Mato brings exceptional versatility and refined sensitivity, achieving a chamber partnership of remarkable cohesion and expressive depth.
With ICARUS, IBS Classical reaffirms its commitment to the recovery of Spanish musical heritage and the international projection of a new generation of outstanding performers. A bold, luminous and deeply inspired flight.
Alex Olmedo
Alex Olmedo Duynslaeger (Violoncello)
Born in Barcelona in 2001, cellist Alex Olmedo Duynslaeger is recognized for his sensitivity and artistic maturity. He began his studies with his mother, Gaëtane Duynslaeger, and later studied with Lluís Claret at the Conservatori Superior del Liceu. He continued his education at the National Conservatory of Paris with Jérôme Pernoo and Edgar Moreau, and is currently pursuing his studies at the HfMT Hamburg under Sebastian Klinger. Passionate about chamber music, he has performed at festivals such as the Pòdium de Matadepera and the DeltaChamber Music Festival, and appeared as a soloist with various orchestras. He is currently doing a Praktikum with the SWR Symphonieorchester and plays a Frank Ravatin cello, generously loaned by Strings For Talent and the King Baudouin Foundation, with the support of the Toussaint Weil-Revil families.
Fiona Mato
Born in Athens into a family of Albanian musicians, Fiona Mato began studying piano at a very young age with her mother. After training at the Athenaeum Conservatory in Athens, she was admitted to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where she studied with Michel Béroff and Claire Désert, later joining the Artist Diploma program in 2016. As a noted chamber musician, she performs with artists such as the Moragues Quintet, Raphaël Pidoux, Théotime Langlois de Swarte, and Hanna Salzenstein. She is a founding member of the Adama Duo and the Dichter Trio. Fiona Mato also works as a collaborative pianist at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. She regularly appears at major festivals like La Roque d’Anthéron and the Vézère Festival, and has been featured on radio programs including Générations France Musique. She is currently leading two recording projects focused on the music of Schumann.
