Esther Pinyol Grífols

Biography

Esther Pinyol Grífols took her advanced studies of harp with the principal harpist of OBC, Magdalena Barrera, at the “Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya.” Indeed, she was the first harpist graduate of the ESMUC, obtaining the qualification of High Honors in her final degree project entitled “L’arpa impressionista.”

She was pupil of various European harpists such as Stephen Fitzpatrick, Alexandra Clemenz, Jana Bouskova, Marianne ten Voorde, Cristina Montes, Charlotte Steale, and Nicolas Tuillez, among others.

It was at the “Escola de Música Freqüències,” in Vilanova i la Geltrú, that she began to study music. As for the professional level of her studies, she was trained by Micaela Serracarabasa at “Conservatori del Liceu” and by Maria Llüísa Ibáñez at “Conservatori del Bruc.”

Within the orchestral field, Esther has been involved in the “Orquestra Simfònica del Segle XXI,” the “Orquestra de Sant Cugat,” the “Jove Companyia d’Òpera del Liceu,” the “Jove Orquestra Simfònica de la Diputació de Tarragona,” the “Orquestra de Cambra del Baix Ebre,” the “Jove Orquestra de Figueres,” and the “Orquestra Germinans,” among others.

She was member of the most important youth orchestras of both Catalonia and Spain. She was also part of the “Jove Orquestra Nacional de Catalunya” (JONC) from 2006 to 2013, of the “Joven Orquesta Nacional de Espanya” (JONDE) from 2011 to 2014, of the “Orquestra de Joves Intèrprets dels Països Catalans” (OJIPC) from 2007 to 2013, and of the “Orquestra Simfònica de Monzón” from 2005 to 2012. The membership of all these orchestras allowed her to perform not only in the greatest Spanish concert halls and auditoriums but also in the best music festivals such as the Santader Music Festival and the Berlin Young EuroClassic Festival, among others.

During the academic year 2011-2012, she enjoyed a scholarship from the Anna Riera Foundation and from the “Academia d’estudis orquestrals de la Fundación Barendoim- Said” as well. Moreover, she was academician of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from 2011 until 2013.

While being tutored by Micaela Serracarabasa, Esther is taking the master’s degree of interpretation at the ESMUC with Madgalena Barrera.

The “Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya” (OBC), the “Giorquestra” (GIO), the “Orquestra de Cambra de L’empordà” (OCE), the “Òpera Mosset” company in France, and the “MCO” in Germany are some of the professional orchestras in which she is currently involved. Additionally, she is part of the “Orquestra Camera Musicae,” of “Orquestra Simfonova,” and of “Giorquestra.” This year win the first place in the “borsa de trabajo Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife” and she’s artist resident in the Pedrera Barcelona.

She has acted under the instructions of different conductors including Esapekka Salonen, Esa-pekka Salonen, Marc Minkowski, Emmanuel Krivine, Pablo González, Kirill Karabits, George Pehlivanian, Manuel Valdivieso, Jordi Mora, Valery Ovsyanikov, Lutz Köhler, Karl Anton Rickenbacher, Salvador Mas, Salvador Brotons, Edmon Colomer, Josep Pons, Jaime Martin, Andrés Orozco, Guerasin Voronkov, John Rutter, Mireia Barrera, and Josep Vila, among others.

While working with the aforementioned orchestras, she has been giving concerts all around Catalonian chambers with the Artemps trio, the Dewart trio (flute, viola, and harp), and Blooming Duo (harp and marimba).

Specifically the Blooming Duo project was second-awarded not only in the the “Ciutat de Vinaròs” International Chamber Competition (2012) but also in the the Arjau Interpretation Competition. The 21stChamber Competition José Mirabent i Magrans, in Sitges, also provided them with the prize from the “Mas i Mas” Foundation. They have performed in cycles such as “Música als Parcs 2013” and “30 minuts de música,” organized by the “Mas i Mas” Foundation. Some of their new works come from the well-known compositors Feliu Gasull, Joan Sanmartí, Marc Timón, and Andres Serafini.

As a soloist, Esther has participated in different choirs: “ Cor infantile Amics de la Unió de Granollers,” “Cor Madrigal,” “Camerata impromptu: cor de cambra de l’orfeó de sants,” “coral Canigó,” and “Cor de cambra 3catorze.” Apart from choirs, she has also been part of various instrumental groups: “cobla de l’ESMUC,” “Banda de l’ESMUC” - performing the Pierné’s “Concertstück” concert for harp and orchestra arranged by Lamote de Grignon-, “Orquestra Germinians,” and “Jove Orquestra de Figueres.”

There are some albums that Esther recorded together with the “Jove Orquestra de Figueres” and with the “Amics de la Unió” children’s choir. The music company “Mà de Guido” issued those CDs, which contain great works such as “Ceremony of Carols” by B. Britten, “Dancing Dany” by J. Rutter, and “Conte de Nadal” by Albert Guinovart.

She has worked outside the field of classical music, recording the song entitled “Aniversari” with the Catalonian band “Manel.” It is also remarkable her involvement in the “Òpera amb Texans” TV program led by Ramon Gené in channel 33.