León, Spain
On 14 September, the Oviedo Philharmonic Foundation Orchestra performs at the Auditorio de León in León, Spain, under the direction of Pedro Ordieres. Acclaimed violinist Itamar Zorman joins the orchestra as soloist for an evening celebrating the richness, lyricism, and passion of the Spanish musical tradition.
With a career forged from the orchestral ranks and consolidated on the podium, Pedro Ordieres is defined by his rigorous technique and an interpretive sensitivity that bridges classical tradition with a profound commitment to contemporary creation. His dual perspective as a conductor and elite violinist provides him with a deep understanding of sonic architecture and a unique ability to connect with every section of the orchestra in an organic way.
Born in Oviedo into a prominent musical family, Pedro began his training under the guidance of his father, Alfonso Ordieres. After graduating from the Asturias Higher Conservatory of Music, his international trajectory led him to London, where he was a Scholar at the prestigious Royal College of Music. There, he refined his craft under world-renowned figures: Neil Thompson (conducting) and Itzhak Rashkovsky (violin performance).
Read MoreSince 2002, he has held a tenured position as Co-Principal Violin of the Asturias Symphony Orchestra (OSPA). This experience of over two decades at the symphonic frontline has served as the foundation for his conducting career, allowing him to internalize a vast repertoire and develop a leadership style rooted in a visceral understanding of the ensemble.
In his role as a principal conductor, he stands out for his work leading the University of Oviedo Orchestra since 2017, an ensemble he refounded and directed for nearly a decade. Under his baton, the orchestra performed over a hundred concerts and numerous educational projects, leaving a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of Asturias.
In September 2025, Pedro Ordieres was appointed Chief Conductor of the Oviedo Philharmonic Foundation Orchestra, solidifying his position as one of the most dynamic and respected conductors of his generation.
While he feels a particular affinity for the Classical repertoire—where his interpretations are acclaimed for their precision and emotional balance—Ordieres is a staunch advocate for the music of our time. He has championed and premiered works by award-winning composers such as Pablo Moras, José Nieto, Rubén Díez, José María Laborda, Raquel Rodríguez, Julio Aller, and Gabriel Ordás, among others. Furthermore, he carries out vital work in recovering Spanish symphonic heritage, reviving works by key figures such as Benjamín Orbón, María Rodrigo, and Manuel del Fresno.
As a guest conductor, he has led ensembles such as the Iberian Symphony Orchestra, the Siero Chamber Orchestra, Camerata L’Alcordanza, the Portugal Junior Music Festival (FMJ’18), and the OSPA (serving as Leader-Director).
His passion for music extends to pedagogy. He has collaborated with prominent youth orchestras, including the JOSPA (Asturias Youth Symphony), the Santander Youth Orchestra, and the ORA in Aragón, sharing his expertise with young talent at festivals and specialized courses.
Recent milestones include the premiere of the cantata Tres mujeres by Teo Montero Rey (libretto by Javier Almuzara) and the presentation of the chamber opera El Bicho by Julio Aller at the Auditorio de León—projects that reaffirm his dedication to the avant-garde and the promotion of national music.
Distinguished by his emotionally gripping performances and gift for musical storytelling, Itamar Zorman is regarded as a singularly soulful and evocative artist. The recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Borletti-Buitoni Trust award, Itamar Zorman was also a laureate of the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Itamar Zorman’s solo career encompasses four continents. He has performed as a soloist with such orchestras as the Israel Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, KBS Symphony Seoul, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, German Radio Philharmonic, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Kremerata Baltica, RTE National Symphony Orchestra (Dublin), American Symphony and Mariinsky Orchestra. He has worked with conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Michael Tilson-Thomas, David Robertson, Valery Gergiev, James DePreist, Karina Canellakis, Yuri Bashmet, and Nathalie Stuztmann.
Read MoreAs a recitalist, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Merkin Hall, the Louvre Museum, Suntory Hall, Laeiszhalle Hamburg and HR-Sendesaal Frankfurt, and at festivals including the Verbier, Marlboro, Rheingau, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brevard, Classical Tahoe, MITO SettembreMusica, and Radio France Festival. He has also collaborated with a number of legendary artists such as Richard Goode (including performances at Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress), Mitsuko Uchida, Steven Isserlis and Jörg Widmann. A committed chamber player, he is a founding member of the Israeli Chamber Project and a member of the Lysander Piano Trio, with which he won the 2012 Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Grand Prize in the 2011 Coleman Chamber Music Competition, 1st prize in the 2011 Arriaga Competition, and a bronze medal in the 2010 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Itamar Zorman’s diverse repertoire is reflected in his discography; his most recent release ‘Violin Odyssey’ (2022) on the First Hand Records label, presents seldom heard works by composers such as Schulhoff, Bacewicz, Revueltas and Pejacevic, while his previous album, ‘Evocation’ (BIS Records, 2019) featured the violin works of Paul Ben-Haim, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Philippe Bach. His first solo album, entitled “Portrait”, featured works by Messiaen, Schubert, Chausson, Hindemith, and Brahms and was released by Profil - Editions Günther Hänssler.
Born in Tel-Aviv to a family of musicians, Zorman is a graduate of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, the Juilliard School, where he studied with Robert Mann and Sylvia Rosenberg, and the Manhattan School of Music. He is also an alumnus of the Kronberg Academy, where he studied with Christian Tetzlaff.
Itamar Zorman is a recipient of scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation; he currently plays on a Guarneri Del Jesu from 1734, from the collection of Yehuda Zisapel.
Founded in 2025 under the auspices of the centenary Sociedad Filarmónica de Oviedo, the Oviedo Philharmonic Foundation Orchestra (OFFO) was born from the profound conviction that "music unites us." Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Pedro Ordieres, the ensemble serves as a vibrant space for encounter, where musicians from diverse backgrounds and generations share a common purpose: the pursuit of collective musical excellence.
The OFFO is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s cultural and educational mission, creating a dynamic platform where music is not merely heard but lived. Despite its recent inception, the orchestra has established a firm presence on the concert stage, having already collaborated with internationally acclaimed soloists such as cellist Maximilian Von Pfeil, harpist Miriam del Río, and pianist Domenico Codispoti.
Read MoreThe orchestra’s artistic vision is defined by its commitment to revitalizing the symphonic landscape. This is achieved through a dedicated focus on premiering contemporary works and recovering neglected or rare repertoire. This approach has earned the ensemble critical domestic praise; reviewers such as Jonathan Mallada have highlighted the orchestra’s fresh energy and interpretive depth, noting its ability to project the prestigious legacy of the Philharmonic Society into the future.
With a clear mandate for international projection, the OFFO is currently preparing for several major milestones, including its participation in the 39th National Festival of Spanish Music in León and an extensive concert tour of Portugal scheduled for 2026. The OFFO stands as a living, committed institution—an orchestra open to the future and dedicated to the transformative power of shared music.
