“His tone is not just beautiful but finely graded over the widest expressive range” GRAMOPHONE
Cristo Barrios has built an international career as a soloist, chamber musician and pedagogue, appearing at such prestigious venues as Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw. He has worked with quartets including Elias and Arditti, the Fauré Piano Quartet and soloists such as Romain Guyot and Maxim Rysanov. As co-founder of the Quantum Ensemble, he has championed innovative programming and contemporary repertoire, premiering works with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra. His recordings include The Voice of the Clarinet and Deep Light, and he offers an online mentoring service for young musicians. A Doctor of Musicology, he combines research with a commitment to music education at the Centro Superior Katarina Gurska, where he develops new approaches to teaching.
Discography
Cristo Barrios’ recordings reflect his commitment to expanding musical horizons and reinterpreting the established repertoire. His discography includes The Voice of the Clarinet, 20th Century Music for Clarinet, IAMUS, and Deep Light, alongside a recording of Ayssuragan with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Video
Discover Cristo Barrios in performance with renowned artists and ensembles, including Asier Polo, the Quantum Ensemble, Valery Gergiev, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, showcasing his artistry across diverse musical collaborations.
Chamber music coordination
Cristo Barrios was the coordinator of Quantum Ensemble, resident group at the Auditorio de Tenerife and one of Spain’s leading chamber ensembles. Known for its innovative programming, the group combined classical and contemporary repertoire, collaborated with world-class musicians, and connected with audiences through interactive concerts and educational projects. Over the years, Quantum Ensemble has performed with distinguished soloists such as Asier Polo, Maxim Rysanov, Frederieke Saeijs, Alissa Margulis, Tatiana Samouil, Emil Rovner, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Lina Tur Bonet and Romain Guyot, as well as with ensembles like the Minetti, Lendvai and Elias String Quartets, Spanish Brass and the Fauré Quartet.
Find out more about Cristo Barrios' latest CD recording
Cristo Barrios features in Maghek, a Signum Classics release, alongside composer Gustavo Díaz-Jerez, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, pianist Ricardo Descalzo, and conductor Eduardo Portal.
Member of the jury of the ICM Competition Pinerolo e Torino Città metropolitana
Cristo Barrios recently served as a jury member for a prestigious Italian competition, selecting top young ensembles from a global pool of talented musicians.
Cristo is a very active Backun Artist
Cristo Barrios, is a Backun Artist, joining an esteemed group of clarinetists who endorse Backun Musical Services instruments. This collaboration reflects his commitment to excellence and innovation in clarinet performance.
Some reviews
“Barrios, a former student of Richard Stolzman, bears much of his teacher’s passionate musicianship”.
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
“Cristo Barrios interpretation demands close listening. Great playing!”
CLASSICAL FM MAGAZINE
“Only a few names sound with such a strength today as Cristo Barrios, one of the most exciting Spanish clarinettists of his generation”.
RITMO MAGAZINE
“What an exciting listen this is. Superb programming of clarinet works by primarily Engligh and German composers, with intimate sound and fobulously controlled playing”.
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
“The important issue here is his serene tone, impeccable phrasing, his virtuosity without exaggerations and his characteristic timbre”.
MELÓMANO MAGAZINE
“The clarinet, played with virtuosity by Cristo Barrios, is allowed to gallop wildly across Ayssuragan”.
DAS ORCHESTER