FELIX AYO was born in Sestao, northern Spain, and is well known internationally as a soloist and chamber music player as well as for his many fine recordings. He received his diploma with honours at the age of 14 and perfected his studies in Paris, Siena and Rome. He was, at 18, a founding member of the famous ensemble “I Musici” and its acclaimed leader and soloist for 16 years. In 1970 he formed the “Quartetto Beethoven di Roma” considered one of the finest piano quartets today.
Ayo has performed in all the most famous concert halls of the world (Carnegie Hall, Berliner Philharmoniker, La Scala, Teatro Colón, Musikverein, Sydney Opera House, Teatro Reál, Festival Hall, Salle Pleyel, Concertgebouw, Suntory Hall, Bunka Kaikan, etc.) giving hundreds of concerts as soloist, in recitals and with the “Quartetto Beethoven di Roma.”
Ayo’s recordings (Philips, Columbia, EMI, Dynamic) have gained world-wide popularity and won many awards. These include the “Grand Prix du Disque” for his legendary version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” (classical best-seller of all times), the “Edison” award twice, the “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik” three times, the “Mar del Plata” prize and the Italian Critic’s Award for Beethoven’s piano quartets. His recording of J.S.Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin is considered, by the international press, as one of the finest ever made of this work. A Paris critic writes: “We have often wondered if, after Sarasate, there would be another great Spanish violinist! Well yes, there is one, Felix Ayo…this is a superb recording, so beautiful that one cannot, in any moment, compare it with memories one has of other interpretations.” His latest CDs include works by Tartini, Viotti, Mendelssohn and Turina.
A highly appreciated teacher, Ayo has given regular master classes at the “Accademia di Santa Cecilia” in Rome for 15 years; he teaches at seminars in Spain, Canada, Australia, USA, Germany, Japan, Italy and Denmark and is often invited to be a member of the jury in international competitions, such as the ‘Paganini’, ‘Sarasate’, ‘Lipizer’, etc.
Recently Felix Ayo has been conferred the title of “Accademico di S.Cecilia”, “Professor Emeritus”, and “Ilustre de Vizcaya”, also receiving the “Premio Roma” and the “Premio San Michele for a life dedicated to music.