Rapidly becoming one of the most exciting ambassadors of the flute, Australian flautist Ana de la Vega is attracting unbridled attention for her recent recording of Mozart & Myslivecek’s Flute Concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra.
The album was awarded Amazon Best Seller (No. 1 in Classical Concertos), as well as achieving CD of the Week on Classic FM, BBC Scotland and NDR Kultur – acknowledging her “velvety tone” and that her vital interpretation “would certainly have inspired Mozart.”
Born to Australian/Argentinian parents, de la Vega grew up on a farm in Kiama, Southern NSW. At just seven years old and with no musical heritage, she coincidently heard Jean Pierre Rampal’s recording of the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto KV219 (Erato) while playing in the garden.
“When I decided to be a flautist, I had never seen a flute,” said de la Vega. “I didn’t know what an orchestra was and I had certainly had never been into a concert hall. The second movement of that concerto rendered me choice-less, a physical reaction, an infiltration of body and soul. Every decision from that moment on led me to the flute, to Paris and to Mozart. A long way from the flies and dust!”
de la Vega became a student of Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris, after moving to Paris upon the completion of her undergraduate’s degree at the University of Sydney. Upon arrival, she was able to convince flautist master Raymond Guiot to give her lessons in preparation for the school’s audition, despite her knowing no French and Guiot’s decision to stop regular teaching.
At the age of only 23, she won the position of Principal Flute with the Orquestra Sinfonica do Norte in Portugal, before founding the London International Players, a compelling London ensemble which brings together the finest musicians of her generation.
Her premiere of Myslivecek’s lost flute concerto was broadcast on BBC Radio 3, made Critics’ Choice in London TimeOut and received rave reviews in BBC Magazine and Gig Magazine. de la Vega is now one of the very few flautists of her generation that has performed so extensively worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician.
“This work is one that displays the utmost craftsmanship and appeal but which nevertheless relies on a fine performance to render it memorable. Ana de la Vega gives it just that.” – Gramophone
To listen or purchase Mozart & Myslivecek’s Flute Concertos, click here. For more information about Ana de la Vega, visit: www.anadelavega.com for details.
Image: Ana de la Vega (supplied)