Interview with Pablo Barragán

"I still believe that jazz music is the highest art of expression."

Pablo Barragán studied at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel Castillo in Seville with Antonio Salguero and at the Barenboim-Said Foundation with Matthias Glander, principal clarinetist of the Staatskapelle Berlin. In 2009, he transferred to the Basel Academy of Music to continue his studies in the masterclass of François Benda. During his studies, he also attended masterclasses with Martin Fröst, Charles Neidich, and Dimitri Ashkenazy.

Since 2007, Pablo Barragán has been a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Daniel Barenboim and has been invited, among other things, to teach as a professor at the Barenboim-Said Foundation in the Middle East.

Pablo Barragán performs as a soloist with various orchestras. As an artist open to new music, he premiered "NothingTwoSay" in 2016 together with soprano Laurence Guillod and visual artist Leandro Suarez. The work, which explores the physical limits of communication through texts by John Cage and music by Berio, Sariaaho, and Fröst, is open to new music.

You wanted to be a jazz saxophonist as a child. What fascinated you about it?
Yes, that was the plan! Sometimes I still flirt with that idea, if the repertoire allows. With the clarinet, of course, but it's the same childhood dream. I was fascinated by the electric groove, their freedom to improvise through all those colorful scales, the unexpected magic of these musicians diving together into a musical climax, communicating with simple gestures and frenetic energy... I still believe that jazz musicians are the next level of music-making and artistry. The highest art of expression.

Why did you become a clarinetist?
Pure chance. The brass band I played in as a child needed more clarinetists, and since I was one of the youngest, the teacher simply told me I had to switch. I cried so much back then, but it was the best stroke of luck ever.

Do you still listen to and play jazz music or other styles today?
Absolutely! My music app is full of Nina Simone, Mingus, Parker, Coltrane, Chick Corea... and not only that. Flamenco is an important part of my culture (Paco de Lucía, Camarón, Poveda...) and I listen to as many styles as I can discover. Some of my favorite artists/bands are Radiohead, Anoushka Shankar, Alt-J, Andrés Calamaro, Brad Mehldau, Jarabe de Palo, James Brown, Anna Andreu...

You come from Andalusia. What do you love about your homeland?
The good vibes, the energy of our people, the light and colors everywhere, the cultural background of a country that still lives in a modern way from a blend of some of the richest civilizations in history... and our way of life. One thing at a time. It's a place full of magic; you can't predict what will happen next.

Which compositions hold a special place for you and why?
I often connect the compositions with the experiences I've had through them. The people with whom I've shared these precious moments, a special atmosphere where we shared something meaningful with an audience, or a piece that gave life a special impetus at a particular moment. Brahms' Trio and Quintet have taken me to the moon and back every time. Bartók's "Contrasts" definitely holds a unique status for me because I feel this music has opened up something unique, exciting, and sparkling in my life over the past few years. Nielsen's Concerto marked the beginning of a deep introspection of my own expression and artistic vision. Lindberg's Concerto, because it was my greatest challenge, and I love challenges. Penderecki's Quartet. Definitely Hartmann's Chamber Concerto. This composition is one of my current passions and led me on a magical adventure with István Vardai, the Liszt Chamber Orchestra, and Accentus Music. I could go on for pages!

Which contemporary composers do you find interesting? Which composers would you like to hear write a work for clarinet?
I really like Raquel García-Tomás, Mark Simpson, Daniel Bjarnason, Kalevi Aho, Benjamin Staern, Thomas Adès, Anders Hillborg, Francisco Coll, Unsuk Chin...
Some of them, like Chin, Aho, Staern, and Hillborg, already have their own concertos. I would love to listen to clarinet concertos by Raquel García-Tomás and Francisco Coll, and why not even play them myself? Just writing about it makes me so excited! It would be magical to have a clarinet concerto by Peteris Vasks; I love his music too.

You are a professor at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Seville. What message would you like to give your students?
It's a big challenge to be someone's mentor. My job is to help them give their best, to encourage them to believe in themselves and to understand that hard work is essential to making something of themselves. We all struggle with difficulties. I believe the difference lies in the way we approach them and in the passion we dedicate to their development and growth in every respect. I try to give them the tools so they aren't dependent on me. I want to awaken their curiosity so they can forge their own path.

What do you particularly enjoy about being a musician, and what would you rather do without?
I love to travel and discover unique places and other cultures. I don't particularly like hectic schedules, as I mentioned before. Andalusian culture has its own pace, and sometimes my southern European heart suffers a little when too many things need to be done at once.

What are your passions outside of music?
Sports. I enjoy playing football and tennis, jogging, and generally being active. I'm a pretty good cook. I enjoy a good Italian espresso, walks in nature, exploring new cities, and visiting museums, especially those dedicated to contemporary art.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.net | January 1, 2025
© Image: Nikolaj Lund