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          Critical Acclaim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • On Gustav Holst, The Planets...It took more than a century since the composition of the portentous orchestral suite that laid the foundations of music for space films -which had not even taken place at that time before- that this work was heard in Guatemala. Undoubtedly, a merit of Maestro Sarmientos, who not only dared to premiere it in our country but knew how to handle the great complexity involved in the assembly of this work written for large orchestra. His serene ability to direct and conduct, his intelligent criterion for contrasts and his careful attention to details -a major demand for its proper performance- certainly compensated the lack of custom that prevails in our environment, when it comes the moment to addressing a large format music. 

        Paulo Alvarado. Prensa Libre , Guatemala, June 24, 2018

 

       

 

  • "Igor Sarmientos shines in Cairo."     

                   ACAN EFE Cairo, October 28, 2014
 

  •  ...And what about the orchestra and its conductor? ... (Concerto for Piano and orchestra No.3 by Jorge Sarmientos) ... No doubt the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, who played on the occasion, not only is one of the best of our continent, but also consists of young, open-minded musicians without prejudice to play the music of all times with the same expertise and enthusiasm. Maestro Igor Sarmientos knew how to lead it with high accuracy and exquisite sensitivity and with complete mastery of the art of Conducting. This is how the music reaches its highest levels when composition and performers matched to achieve supreme levels. Do not wonder why then, the rewarding reaction of the audience.

 

    Eduardo Kusnir, Composer, Instituto Torcuatto di Tella,  Eduardo Kusnir, Composer, Instituto Torcuatto di Tella, Buenos           Aires, Argentina,        June 2012

 

  •  "... I am a witness that Maestro Igor Sarmientos showed his great talent, great musicality, and humanism, which led to a huge success in the past concerts with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra,Veracruz ..."

       Fernando Lozano, Music director Symphony Orchestra of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. March 2011

 

  • “… A very good conductor, a musician of many colors…”

          Eri Klas, Chief Conductor, of the Novaya Opera Theater, Moscow, October  2008

 

  • “…The chorus and orchestra in Don Giovanni under Maestro Igor Sarmientos’ baton were brilliant in this stage production of Fundación del Teatro Principal de Palma de Mallorca…”

 

         Headlines, Prensa Libre Newspaper, Guatemala, December 2006

 

  • “Impeccable … The musical direction (Don Giovanni) of Igor Sarmientos was able to achieve a full fusion between music and emotions of the characters, on the one hand, and with the concept of the piece in general, on the other…”

 

         Nancy Arroyave, Prensa Libre, Guatemala, December 2006

 

  • “…The first great musical memory of the tour was the joint rehearsal on the first morning with the Guatemalan Youth Orchestra.  Igor Sarmientos, the conductor of the Jesus Castillo Symphony Orchestra of Guatemala and director of the National Conservatory, is a brilliant musician and a passionate educator…Another unforgettable moment was when Igor took over conducting the Danzon n. 2 of Arturo Marquez. I am getting my Latin moves down better than the last time we went south of the border, but I despair that I will ever be able to get the swing of that music the way Igor does. …An orchestra can pretty much do anything its conductor can do, so the Youth Boston Philharmonic and the Guatemalan Youth orchestra were instantaneously transformed into a Latin band! Like magic under Igor’s baton

 

        Benjamin Zander, former conductor of the New England Conservatory of  Music Symphony Orchestra Music Director        Boston Philharmonic, Principal guest conductor Philharmonia Orchestra, London,  September 2003

 

  • “...In last Thursday’s concert of the National Symphony Orchestra, Igor Sarmientos was able to capture and transmit the spirit of the music (Bruckner’s 4th Symphony), captivating the auditorium with the serene, intense and elegant tempos, ... the members of the Orchestra consistently demonstrated their high-quality interpretation, under the clear and certain direction, as well as the excellent tempos chosen by Igor Sarmientos (Overture for a New Millennium), a luminous and eloquent version that preceded the majestic torrent of the Romantic Symphony ...“

        Dr.  Dieter Lehnhoff, Siglo  XXI Newspaper,  Guatemala  July 7, 1998

 

  • “ ... His natural musicality, superb baton technique, and excellent control of the orchestra made the performance both easy for me and very well received by the audience.  I can honestly say that I have never felt more comfortable on stage than I did in [the] performance with Maestro Sarmientos.  He is a fine conductor and masterful accompanist... Maestro Igor Sarmientos is a young conductor to watch!  I have no doubt that his musical future is bright and promising.  I already look forward to our next collaboration.”

 

      Carter Enyeart, Violoncellist, Soloist, Professor    of  the University of Kansas Member of the   Philadelphia Quartet, 1997

 

  • “...The performance of Maestro Sarmientos was excellent from every point of view.  He demonstrated his great talent, musicality, fine technique, and professionalism... his human qualities are also quite admirable…”

 

       Ronaldo Bologna, Director of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of São Paulo, OSUSP Brazil, 1996

 

  • “... it is quite clear that we truly need (in São Paulo) the artistic work of musicians that are qualified, serious, efficient, perfectionist and with an attention to detail such as that of Maestro Igor Sarmientos, who, lucky for us, is still performing in our country...”

 

      José da Veiga Oliveira APCA Association of Art Critics of São Paulo, Brazil, 1995

 

  • “... the Symphony n.39 en E flat by W.A.Mozart, received an exemplary interpretation by Igor Sarmientos...”

 

       José da Veiga Oliveira, APCA Association of Art Critics of São Paulo, Brazil, 1994

 

  • …Igor Sarmientos, a native from Guatemala and unknown young conductor, won the most sought after position by any conductor in Latin America, last week, when was chosen the 1st place in the I Latin American Competition for Orchestra Conductors, sponsored by OSUSP, winning a two years contract.

 

      Folha da Tarde, Sao Paulo, Brazil November 1993

 

  • “...and [the concert] was truly like an exhibition of paintings with Igor Sarmientos conducting from memory the Philharmonic, which played like never before...“ (Pictures at an exhibition)

       Hilda Morán, El Informador Newspaper, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México 1991

 

  • “... [Igor Sarmientos], from the moment he began to rehearse, he was a human dynamo, transmitting to us his strength, emotion, and love for the music to us...“

      Ted Rachofsky, the Colony Reporter, Jalisco, México, 1991

 

  • “...their seasons [National Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador] continually maintain their top quality as well as the enthusiasm of their personnel, particularly with the presence of  Guatemalan Conductor Igor Sarmientos ... Maestro Sarmientos demonstrated his excellent control of the orchestra  and  fine interpretation; (on Brahms Symphony n. 1“).

       Elías Castillo, La Prensa Gráfica Newspaper, San Salvador, El Salvador, 1991

 

  • “...the young maestro demonstrated his top quality as an orchestra conductor, doing justice to his own extensive Curriculum.”

        Prensa Libre Newspaper, Guatemala, 1990

 

  • “... I can assure you that Sarmientos, due to his intelligence and talent, is destined to have an interesting and successful career as an orchestra conductor ...”

        Profesor Guillermo Scarabino, conductor, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1990

 

  • “… far from the usual hesitancies of a beginner, Igor Sarmientos performed with a sense of mastery and professionalism, demonstrating that his brilliance as an orchestra conductor is more than simply a promise...“

        René Augusto Flores, La Hora Newspaper Guatemala, 1990

 

  • “...Mr. Sarmientos is one of the most brilliant and promising conductors that I have had the privilege of knowing

          Dr Thomas Sovik University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 1989.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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