Juan Sebastián Delgado, cello

"The interpretation of Juan Sebastian Delgado shows us his perfect understanding of the

subtleties of his cello playing and his virtuosity."

Jazz Rhone Alps, France (2023)

Argentinian cellist Juan Sebastián Delgado is the recipient of the 2024 Prix Opus’ Artist of the Year. A finalist for the 2024 Charles Biddle Award, presented by the Ministry of Immigration of Quebec, Delgado has earned recognition for his unique voice in contemporary music and Nuevo Tango. He completed his Doctoral studies in performance at McGill University, studying under the guidance of renowned cellist Matt Haimovitz. Delgado’s artistic research, which delves into the fusion of contemporary music and tango, was featured on CBC Radio’s Ideas, introducing his innovative work to audiences across Canada. He also appeared as the featured cellist in the episode Virtuoso Brain in the TV program Découverte.

First-prize winner at the Latin-American Cello Festival (2008), Juan Sebastián is active in the creation and dissemination of new works that explore the cello in innovative ways, having conducted a variety of projects in 28 different countries, including three cello concertos written for him; Pájaro contra el borde de la noche for solo cello, ensemble and electronics by Luis Naon (Paris Conservatory), commissioned by Radio France, Cinco Tangos Apócrifos for cello and string ensemble by Jorge Bosso (2016) and The Night of a Capricious Dawn (2022) for cello and orchestra by Jason Noble. Invited to participate at the Creative Dialogues 2017, he worked with world-renowned composer Kaija Saariaho and premiered works for strings and electronics in Helinski, Finland. At the Lyon Biennale 2018, he premiered Daniel's Tango for cello and marimba by Marcelo Nisinman. In September of 2019, Juan Sebastian was invited by the Albanian Government to perform with pianist Redi Llupa at the Academy of Science and Arts in Tirana premiering new works for cello and piano by Albanian composers (Simaku, Tole). Delgado has released less-known solo cello works including Puneña N2, a tour de force by Alberto Ginastera which was reviewed by former Ginastera’s student and acclaimed composer Alcides Lanza as a "brilliant interpretation,” and Synchronism No.3 for solo cello and electronics by Pulitzer-prize winner Mario Davidovsky recorded by CIRMMT for its 20th anniversary. He recently performed as a soloist with the Obiora Ensemble (Montreal), the UMBC Chamber Orchestra (Baltimore), and the Baroque Orchestra of Mendoza (Argentina).

Founding member of the Montreal-based duo Stick&Bow (cello&marimba), together with percussionist Krystina Marcoux, they have been awarded two prizes at the OPUS PRIX 2024; “Artists of the Year” and “International Achievement.” Their eclectic repertoire features their own original arrangements and commissioned works. To date, they have performed in some of the top music festivals across Canada including the Bach Festival Montréal, Festival de Lanaudière, Festival Classica, National Arts Centre for their #Canadaperforms, Salle Bourgie, La Viree Classique, and Festival du bout du monde, among others. Featured in CBC Music’s The Intro as “boldly going where no cello and marimba have gone before”, Stick&Bow has also collaborated with star singer Pierre Lapointe, arranging his song, Pour déjouer l’ennui, have finished a 40-dates concert tour in France, as emerging artist with Jeunesses Musicales France 2022/23 as well as tours in Colombia (2023) and Argentina (2022). Analekta/Outhere recording artists, they have recorded 3 albums in 3 years; Resonance music for marimba and cello (2019), Bach’s trio sonatas together with renowned baroque expert, Luc Beausejour (2021), and Veni, Vola, Veni (2022) featuring music by Piazzolla and Beytelmann together with piano legend Gus-tavo Beytelmann (ex-pianist of Astor Piazzolla). This album was featured in the National Radio of Argentina, where the iconic journalist Victor Hugo Morales, described their interpretation ofVardarito as one of the best interpretations of Piazzolla’s music.

His interest in research and education brought him to create and structure a performance graduate seminar on the history of the tango at McGill University as well as to conduct research on improvisation at the Université de Montréal-OCIRM (FRQSC fellowship). He was recently appointed Faculty Fellow for Diversity in the Arts at UMBC in Baltimore, where he is deeply engaged in music research, performance, and education. In 2024, Delgado will perform as a guest cellist with the new music ensemble Ruckus at the LiveWire Festival, and as a soloist with the string chamber orchestra.

Juan Sebastian studied with full scholarships at the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy with legendary Trio di Trieste and renowned cellist Enrico Bronzi, at The Boston Conservatory in the US with Rhonda Rider (Virtu Foundation Scholar), and at McGill University in Montreal (finalist of the Gold Violin Competition).

He plays a wonderful unknown cello from the beginning of the 19th century.