A Pianist’s Scrapbook
VENEZUELA. Caracas, 1974. Josu performed Bela Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.
NEW YORK. Manhattan’s Holy Name of Jesus Church in 2019. Josu has played the organ throughout his career, starting as a six-year old in Bilbao. After playing the organ at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, he said the experience must be "what it’s like to fly a jet.”
RUSSIA. Moscow, 1975. A reception with composer Aram Khachaturian, Madame Khachaturian, and Venezuelan violinist Jose F. del Castillo. After hearing Josu perform, Khachaturian described him as “a very sensitive pianist and extraordinary accompanist."
NEW YORK. Legendary ballerina Gelsey Kirkland considers Josu her “favorite accompanist.” They met when Josu accompanied classes for American Ballet Theater.
MADRID. Josu accompanied the world-famous Bolshoi star Maya Plisetskaya (1925-2015) at a gala celebrating her spectacular career.
NEW YORK. The New York Times described Wilhelm Burmann (1939-2020) as “a revered ballet master and teacher who trained generations of dancers,” including Alessandra Ferri, Julio Bocca, and Wendy Whelan. Josu accompanied Willy’s New York classes where students dubbed them “the dynamic duo.”.
LOS ANGELES. Renowned ballet teacher Stefan Wenta (1929-2022) was an “icon of the LA dance scene.” Josu frequently accompanied his classes.
NEW YORK. Argentinian choreographer, ballet master, and coach Hector Zaraspe (1030-2023) said that “when Josu plays, dancers sing with their bodies and paint the air with music that lifts the soul.”
LOS ANGELES. The Hollywood Bowl. Josu reminisces with celebrated conductor Gustavo Dudamel who studied with Venezuelan violinist Jose F. del Castillo. In the 1970s, Josu and Castillo made appearances together throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union.
SPAIN. Bolshoi dancer and choreographer Vladimir Vasiliev (Vasily) has been called a “god of the dance.” In 2012, Josu accompanied Vasily’s master class at Madrid’s Teatro Real.
MADRID. Jocelyn Alizart created twelve full-length ballets and toured worldwide as a guest teacher and choreographer. Josu accompanied his classes in Spain.