Spanish National Orchestra Appoints New Concertmaster

Aged just 23, German violinist Valerie Steenken has become the youngest concertmaster in the orchestra's history

The Madrid-based Orquesta Nacional de España recently named the 23-year-old German violinist Valerie Steenken as its new concertmaster. Steenken was selected from a pool of 34 total applicants and will become the youngest concertmaster in the orchestra's history.

Born in Munich, Steenken studied with Julia Fischer at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in her hometown. A move to Spain followed, where she continued her studies with Marco Rizzi at the Reina Sofía School of Music.

Steenken has made solo appearances at the Munich Philharmonic's Concert for Children series with Julia Fischer, and with the orchestra of the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Munich. In 2016, she was a recipient of the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now scholarship.

As an orchestral player, Steenken has appeared with the Odeon Jugendsinfonieorchester, the Bayerisches Landesjugendorchester, and the Munich Philharmonic.

She is the recipient of several prizes, including first prize at the Gerhard Voght International Chamber Music Competition and third prize at the August Everding Competition for Violin.

Steenken described winning the position as "a dream come true".

For our Spanish-speaking readers, you can hear her introduce herself below.