Violin

'Tal vez sea un caso unico en la historia de nuestros violinistas'. (El Dia)

('He is perhaps an unique case in the history of our violinists'. El Dia, daily newspaper)

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Adrián Varela is 1st violinist in the Phlharmonia Orchestra, London since 2002, and its only Latin American representative. During this time he has contributed extensively to the orchestra's output with digital innovation, conducting, video and audio production and participation, speaking, paneling, presenting concerts in English and French, imaginative programming, arranging & orchestrating, promoting cultural and social awareness, and education work in the UK and abroad, alongside his primary role in the organisation as violinist.

 

He has recorded scores of film soundtracks for Disney, Universal, Marvel, Warner Bros, Columbia, Paramount, Netflix, music for Deutsche Gramophon, Decca, Naxos, Sony and more, as well as major games including the complete Harry Potter computer games series. Solo work includes live performances of Glazunov, Sibelius, Bruch G minor, and Barber (recorded live) violin concertos among others. His live Mozart and Bach concerto performances with Montenegro and the National Symphony Orchestra of Uruguay OSSODRE, including his own cadenzas, were broadcast by National Uruguayan Radio.

 

Adrian holds an DipRAM, the highest mark for a Postagraduate degree from the Royal Academy of Music, London. His studies in the UK, including a Masters degree from the University of London, and a degree in pedagogy from the RAM, were all declared 'of national interest' by the Uruguayan government, and supported by the Presidency, the Ministry of Culture & Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UNESCO. As a member of the Quinteto Arte Mayor, he played for and shook hands with all Latin American presidents over a 7-year period, including Fidel Castro.

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Adrián is a former concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra of Uruguay. During his time in this post he gave free recitals open to all public in venues across Uruguay to bring classical music closer to publics that otherwise would not come across it. He began violin studies age 7 as Suzuki, then with Zerounian in Detroit, USA, followed by Casale in Montevideo, Spiller in Buenos Aires and Harvey, Hattori and Gruenberg in London.

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Adrián's main concern is using music, including the violin, as an instrument to advocate for peace, an empathetic worldview, and mutual understanding through cultural awareness. Both his electric band Laberinto, and his authentic Trio Uruguay both serve this end, as does his series 'A Musical Chat', now in its second season.