Twenty-five year old Spanish violist Rodolfo Rodríguez is widely recognized for his performances, which combine the spontaneity and fearless imagination of youth with the discipline and precision of a mature artist. He has been praised for his authority over the most complex technical demands of the repertoire as well as for the depth of his musical insight.
After joining the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (GMJO) in 2008, Rodolfo became its Principal Violist and Soloist in 2010. With the GMJO he has performed in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Spain, in halls such as the Musikverein of Vienna, AlteOper of Frankfurt, Alte Oper of Luxemburg, Teatro Verdi of Pisa, Auditorio Nacional of Madrid, Teatro San Carlo of Naples, and Megaron of Athens, among others. Some notable conductors who he has performed under are Claudio Abbado, Antonio Pappano, Herbert Blomstedt, Ingo Metzmacher.
Rodolfo has been a prizewinner of numerous competitions and awards, including, 2013 Mannes College of Music Concerto Competition, the 2012 Mannes Merit Scholarship, the 2010 "Angel Muñiz Toca" prize and the Mannes College of Music of New York Presidents Award Scholarship. In 2009 he received the "Cajastur Young Artist" Scholarship and in 2008, he won the "CajaMadrid Chamber Music" and "Young Artist Intercentros" National competitions. He was also the winner of the "Young Soloist Competition" in León in 2007.
Rodolfo made his debut as a Solo Violist at the age of 13 in the Auditorio Principe Felipe of Oviedo, Spain. Since then he has had numerous critically acclaimed performances with orchestras such as the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, Bratislawa Chamber Orchestra, León Symphony Orchestra “Odón Alonso”, Youth Asturias Symphony Orchestra, Gijón Simphony Orchestra, Yale Philharmonia under conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Dorel Murgu, Jean Stanienda, Shink Han, Óliver Díez, and David Afkham and has appeared in major concert halls throughout Europe and the US.
Jesús began his studies at the age of 7 with Violist Wieslaw Rekucki Krupa, followed by study at the Conservatorio Superior de Musica "Eduardo Martinez Torner de Oviedo," where upon graduation he was awarded the prestigious Honorary Diploma. Since then he was awarded a full scholarship to Yale University to continue his Certificate studies with Professor Jesse Levine and the Tokyo String Quartet. At the same time he was studying Architecture. He receives his Master of Music in Viola Performance from Juilliard School and Mannes College of Music, where he studied with Paul Neubauer. He is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma-Professional Studies Diploma at Mannes.
In addition to his developing solo career, Jesus is very interested in studying and performing works of chamber music. He has performed at Botin´s Hall - Paloma O´Shea´s Piano Festival in Santander, Chamber Music Hall at the Auditorio Nacional de España, Auditorio Principe Felipe, as well as at festivals such as the Mozart Festival in A Coruña, Music Festival of Cádiz, Spanish Viola Congress. In 2011/12 is invited to Bowdoin International Music Festival as Bowdoin Virtuosi guest, becoming Artist/Faculty in 2013, Music@Menlo Festival in San Francisco 2011-International Program, 2013 Castleton Chamber player, Castleton Music Festival, and Malaga#Clasica in 2013/14 as Residence Former Artist.
Rodolfo Rodriguez is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French, and has a Degree in Architecture and Piano. He currently resides in New York City.