The Rising Star of Classical Music: Robert Treviño

The recording industry for classical music may have seen better days, but every now and then, a glimmer of brilliance emerges. One such luminary is Robert Treviño, a Mexican American conductor who has held the position of music director for the Basque National Orchestra in San Sebastián, Spain, since 2017. At just 40 years old, Treviño has garnered significant acclaim in recent years for his recordings that are not only meticulously prepared but also exquisitely performed, showcasing a level of control that never veers into caution.

Treviño’s interpretations have found enthusiastic praise, especially for two recent Ravel discs released by Ondine. These recordings aim to reclaim Ravel as fundamentally Basque, drawing attention to the influences of both the Iberian Peninsula and France—a cultural duality that Treviño aptly describes in his notes as “the gravitational pulls” shaping Ravel’s music.

Among his noteworthy contributions, I have been particularly captivated by his remarkably sensitive interpretation of Respighi with the RAI National Symphony Orchestra, where Treviño serves as the principal guest conductor. Additionally, his stunning survey of Bruch‘s works with the Bamberg Symphony on the CPO label stands out for its beauty and depth.

However, perhaps the most intriguing and revealing aspect of Treviño’s artistry can be found in his ambitious project titled “Americascapes.” This series comprises two bold releases celebrating American music with his Basque ensemble. The first volume offers a thoughtful exploration of compositions by Charles Martin Loeffler, Carl Ruggles, Howard Hanson, and Henry Cowell. The second volume, which was released just last Friday, begins with a powerful piece by George Walker and concludes with the vibrant sounds of Silvestre Revueltas. At the dark core of this collection lies an eerily captivating, and at times quite haunting, rendition of George Crumb’s “A Haunted Landscape.”