Antonio Cárdenas Plaza
Born in Madrid. He studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid and Vitoria-Gasteiz with professors Víctor Martín and Isabel Vilá respectively and obtained the Final Prize in the specialties of Violin and Chamber Music. National Prize 2019 “Cultura Viva”, First Prize in the Luigi Boccherini Chamber Music Competition. Melómano de ORO Award for his album with Cuarteto Bretón.
He has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Spain and the Youth Orchestra of Vitoria-Gasteiz (as concertmaster) and the Radio Television Orchestra, and has given masterclasses in Madrid, Musikene, Ardeche (France). Guest professor at the Aula de Arte of the University CARLOS III of Madrid. Professor of the National Orchestra of Spain by opposition since 1999 and founding member of the Breton Quartet.
Bretón Quartet
Considered as “one of the most international and important chamber ensembles of this country”,…. “they have demonstrated both individually and as a whole, their impeccable musical level” or “the prestigious Cuarteto Bretón, one of the most consolidated and active groups in the recovery of Spanish music for string quartet” (Ritmo)… “It was really a great concert of the Quartet, with one of the biggest ovations of the public in our Circuit, without a doubt” (Musikene)… “it has been a unique experience to have played with the Cuarteto Bretón…”
(Angel Wang First Prize in the International Competition JAÉN 63rd edition) La Vanguardia…
Awarded in 2019 with the NATIONAL PRIZE ” CULTURA VIVA ” in the category of chamber ensembles. MELÓMANO de ORO Award for the Integral de Música para voz y Cuarteto de Cuerda by Antón García Abril (ClasicaEs) with soprano Lucia Castelló.
It is one of the few Quartets that regularly plays the Stradivarius Collection of the Royal Palace of Madrid. They have given Masterclasses in centers such as the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, Musikene (San Sebastián), Ardeche (France).
They have performed in the most important International Festivals and concert halls such as the International Festival of Granada, FIS of Santander, Quincena Donostiarra, Cuenca, Paris, Munich, Vienna, Bucharest, Bremen, Ardeche, String Quartet Festival in Luberon (France)….
Among their discography are the Integrals of Rodolfo Halffter’s Quartets (NAXOS), Jesús Guridi’s Quartets (NAXOS), A. Aracil (VERSO), 6 Key Quintets by Padre Soler with Rosa Torres Pardo (COLUMNA), Chamber Music by Juanjo Colomer (Instituto Cervantes), Music for voice and String Quartet by Antón García Abril (ClasicaEs), Schumann’s Piano Quintet with Korean pianist Honggi KIM (NAXOS). Piano Quintet by C. Franck with Alexander Koryakin (NAXOS). Quartets No. 1 and 3 by Tomás Bretón (NAXOS).
Among the next engagements it is worth mentioning as Soloists, the Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra by B. Martinu within the ORCAM season at the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, the Teatro de la Zarzuela, Festival de Segovia in the CNDM cycle; or the International Piano Competition “Premio JAEN” where it performs as resident quartet with the semifinalists.