• This is ‘the easiest time ever’ to explore classical music or learn an instrument, says award-winning Spanish cellist
• ‘I see a lot of young people coming to concerts now … because they saw something on Instagram and they wanted to see me live,’ says Ferrandez- Ferrandez, hailed as a ‘new cello genius,’ praises warm reception and talent of musicians in Türkiye

ISTANBUL 

Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrandez believes the digital era is breaking classical music’s image as an elite domain, opening the doors of symphonies and concert halls to a new audience.

“Classical music was never meant to be mainstream,” Ferrandez told Anadolu, noting that while its audience may be smaller, it is deeply passionate.

The award-winning musician said digital platforms have opened the concert hall to new generations. “I think it’s reaching many, many new people. I see a lot of young people coming to the concerts now, and they tell me it’s because they saw something on Instagram and they wanted to see me live,” he said.

Ferrandez, who has performed with leading orchestras across the globe, said he feels this is “the easiest time ever” to explore classical music or learn an instrument.

Before, you had to go to a store to find a record, “but now, if you are interested in something, you can just find it in a second,” he said.

The Spanish artist also highlighted the diversity within classical music.

“You can perhaps not like Bach or Mozart, but you love Tchaikovsky or Mendelssohn. So, if you don’t like one thing, it doesn’t mean that you don’t like classical music, because the range is huge,” he said.

- From family roots to global stages

Born in Madrid to a family of musicians, Ferrandez said his path was clear from the start.

“Both my parents are musicians, and my father is a cellist as well. So, when I was four years old, they just gave me a cello. I don’t even remember, and it was always something that I loved.”

Now one of the leading cellists of his generation and a prizewinner at the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, he is widely hailed as a “new cello genius.”

Among his musical heroes, Ferrandez cited cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and pianist Martha Argerich, whom he called “an absolute god, not only of piano, but of music in general.”

The 33-year-old artist, known for his expressive style and emotional depth, said his success stems from a blend of “talent, hard work and luck.”

“You have to have all these three to become successful in any field, I believe,” he said. “There are many people who are very talented and work very hard, but they are not lucky. And any of these three, if you don’t have one of them, then it doesn’t work.”

Ferrandez continues to perform worldwide, including frequent visits to Türkiye.

“I think I’ve come to Türkiye four or five times … It always feels very easy for me to make music here with the musicians. I think they’re very passionate as well, which is something I relate to,” he said, recalling his earlier tour with the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra.

He described Turkish audiences as “particularly excited.” “I think they’re very happy to come to live concerts … They really show love to the performer,” he said.

He also expressed fondness for visiting Ankara and Bodrum, a popular resort town in southwestern Türkiye.

- Four souls on stage

At Ferrandez’s recent Istanbul concert, one could feel the interplay between the musician and the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra – one of Türkiye’s leading private ensembles, uniting musicians from 23 countries.

Watching Ferrandez perform, solo or with the orchestra, reveals the organic connection he shares with his instrument. His movements and breathing rise and fall with the music itself, as if the cello were an extension of his body.

When he pauses, his attention shifts to the orchestra, almost embracing the sound with his instrument before resuming. The experience in the hall seems to involve four “souls” – the orchestra, Ferrandez, the audience and his cello – each contributing to a shared musical journey.

Ferrandez became the first Spanish cellist to be loaned a Stradivarius cello, a rare, historic instrument crafted by the Italian Stradivari family in 1696, called Lord Aylesford, previously owned by legendary cellist Janos Starker and played by another great, Gregor Piatigorsky.

As he continues a busy concert schedule across Europe and the US, Ferrandez remains grateful for a life devoted to music.

“I’m very thankful that I’m living my dream – to travel all around the world and play concerts, and that people want to listen to me,” he said.

“I always wanted to do it and it obviously comes with a lot of effort. So, to see it fulfilled like this, it makes me very, very proud.”