Press
“Cárdenes’s powerful interpretation of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto is most likely unparalleled, at least in the Western Hemisphere.”
“Andrés Cárdenes is simply a master of the violin.”
“Cárdenes nearly blew the ceiling off Finlandia Hall with his fiery interpretation of the Sibelius Concerto. The hall was shaken by the shouting and stamping of feet.”
“In Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 1, it was easy to take in Cárdenes’s warm tone, virtuosity, finesse and his humorous side as a musician.”
“Cárdenes played Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the kind of mastery, virtuosity and musical persuasion that should be placed in the company of the great violinists of the 20th century.”
“Cárdenes’s complete technical command required of Vieuxtemps’ 5th Concerto was breathtaking... the bravos reverberated throughout the hall as the audience demanded more. They were rewarded with a lightning bolt rendition of Ysaye’s Ballade.”
"Cárdenes gave a brilliant performance of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony… powerful, driven and masterful."
"One cannot imagine a more colorful, innovative and passionately committed Sibelius 2nd Symphony"
“Cárdenes’s interpretation of the Beethoven Concerto brought forth a deep humanity very few artists are able to offer.”
Cárdenes shines in Beethoven concerto
Cárdenes shone when he took the time to explore nuances of the solo line in an interpretative tradition that goes back at least as far as Fritz Kreisler. The slow movement was especially beautiful, with the combination of dignity and emotional expression that is one paradoxical element of classical style. Here the character of Cárdenes's sonority was at its most affecting. The finale had a winning rhythmic vigor and technical fluency.
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Cárdenes could play through a storm without twitching a muscle—shades of Jasha Heifetz—and he comes through as ferocious, indefatigable and strong in technique. It’s refreshing to see a virtuoso underplaying his part.
Pittsburgh Symphony
Not only did Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Andrés Cárdenes dazzle last night's Heinz Hall audience with technical prowess, he made a case for an entire school of thought on how a concerto should be played… Cárdenes let Tchaikovsky's music come to the forefront and lead the way… In doing so, Cárdenes showed that playing by the book can produce quite a reading. His interpretation benefited from a modesty that few soloists could give. Rather than allow his personality to smother the work, Cárdenes let us see what Tchaikovsky had to offer on his own.
Brahms: Violin Sonatas; Schubert: Sonatina in G Minor
Hearing violinist Andrés Cárdenes perform proves all the indulgent pleasure of consuming the biggest dessert on the tray—with neither the guilt nor the calories… Cárdenes stands out as a remarkable mature performer who still exudes unjaded affection for his repertory
Mozart: Violin Concertos No. 4 & 5, Rondo in C
His grasp of Mozart’s expressive intentions was everywhere arresting. This was Mozart not to admire but love.
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Cárdenes’s blend of delicacy, temperament and agility brought out the salient qualities in these irresistible tone paintings. Energetic thrust was balanced by sweetness of timbre. Singing on the violin is a Cárdenes trademark, as is attention to dramatic expression.
Saint-Saëns: The Sonatas for Violin and Piano
(Arabesque Recording Z6619) Violinist Andrés Cárdenes’s tone is ardent, his technique in full command of the composer’s virtuosity and melodic sweetness.
Ricardo Lorenz: Violin Concerto (premiere)
Cárdenes made seemingly easy work of a daunting violin part, full of uncompromising double stops, scoops and moments of impossibly high register meanderings.
"Cárdenes took his conducting to a new level in a program of Mozart, Hindemith and Schumann. His command of complex textures and his thoughtful approach to the overall shape of the music was masterful."
"Cárdenes's stature as a conductor who understands the power of musical form was clearest when he made the last movement (Dvorak 7th Symphony) a true finale, epic in scope and perfectly proportioned but spontaneous in feeling Bravos and a standing ovation were well deserved."