Interview with Salvador Barberá, soloist of the RTVE Orchestra (Spain)

Interview with Salvador Barberá, soloist of the RTVE Orchestra (Spain).

In my first interview for the blog, it’s my pleasure to present Salvador Barberá, soloist of the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (RTVE) and teacher at KATARINA GURSKA Music Center (Madrid – Spain). I would like to thank Salvador Barberá for his collaboration.

How were your beginnings in music / with the oboe? Were there more musicians in the family?

My beginnings were at the age of six, I still remember the time when my father asked me if I wanted to be a musician. My father is an amateur musician and a passionate of music, as most of my family, both paternal and maternal family.

With the oboe I started at age nine.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a professional oboe player?

Honestly, I didn’t even think of that. I combined my studies with my love of music. Little by little, I started to realise that music was already part of my life. I felt it would not be difficult for me to continue in this world.

Which teacher has influenced you the most?

I have had two teachers who have influenced my career. I began my studies with Mr. Juan Carlos Báguena and I studied with him for half of my academic years. Later, I continued with Mr. Francisco Salanova. So I owe my professional career to them.

What type of oboe do you play with?

Actually I play with two oboes of completely different brands. A Marigaux M2 and a Yamaha YOB 831 DUET.

If you had to highlight an oboe repertoire, what would it be and why?

Without forgetting at all the wide catalog that we have for being such a versatile instrument, I would like to highlight the Sonata for Oboe and Piano by H. Dutilleux. It is a work, in my opinion, iconic in terms of the possibilities of developing a wide range of technical and expressive aspects that the work offers you, in such a short time.

How were your beginnings in the orchestra?

When I started in the orchestra, I was 19 years old. I suppose it is an important factor to note. I consider that the age, even having a maturity as an instrumentalist, is a condition for time to be performing its functions and to define more my profession as a symphonic musician.

What would you highlight about your work as a soloist?

My work as a soloist means everything to me in my career as a musician: Teamwork, make music together … .. What more can a person ask for?

What is the repertoire in the orchestra with which you feel most identified / the one you like the most?

It’s a complicated question for me. I think the music well written, everything is good.

Which conductor or soloist has impressed you most?

I would especially emphasize a conductor who trusted me to take the position that I have since 1994. This is Maestro Sergiu Comissiona.

How do you see the music scene in your country (Spain) these days?

It’s a good and complex question. From my point of view, we live in a country, and I don’t mean society, which does not worry about Spanish musical culture. Spain is an immensely rich country, since it can offer a wide range of cultural possibilities. There are numerous points that show little interest, such as VAT at 21% and the lack of a patronage law.

What advice would you give to oboe students?

My advice would be very simple: enjoy something as wonderful as music. Music is happiness ..

What are your future projects (upcoming concerts, masterclasses …)?

As of today, I continue to enjoy my orchestra, as well as my classes as a teacher at the KATARINA GURSKA Music Center (Madrid – Spain).

Not long ago, I have the opportunity to play Joseph Haydn Sinfonia Concertante for violin, cello, oboe and bassoon. [Watch video here]. Also I played Concerto for oboe d’amore and string orchestra in C Major BWV 1055 by JS Bach. Soon I’ll have some masterclasses, in Toledana de Consuegra (Spain) and in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Spain) for the moment.