Francisco Fullana Awarded Avery Fisher Career Grant
By Evan Calbi
Francisco Fullana (Photo by Felix Broede)
Violinist and USC Thornton alumnus Francisco Fullana (GCRT ’15) was named as one of the recipients of the Avery Fisher Career Grants for 2018. The grants give professional assistance to musicians judged to have exceptional career potential.
Click here to see a video of Fullana accepting his award with a performance of the Enrique Granados Violin Sonata at the WNYC/WQXR Greene Space on March 22nd.
Called a “rising star” by BBC Music Magazine, Fullana was named principal violinist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2016. Earlier this month, he released “Through the Lens of Time,” his debut album recorded with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Carlos Izcaray.
A student of Midori Goto, the violinist from Majorca, Spain came to Thornton after earning undergraduate and master’s degrees from Juilliard. After arriving at Thornton, Fullana secured the use of the 1679 Pietro Guarneri “di Mantua” violin on loan from the Stradivari Society of Chicago and began traveling across the globe while entering competitions in Europe, South America, and Asia.
In 2015, Fullana won the Munetsugu International Violin Competition in Nagoya, Japan, receiving a two-year loan of another illustrious instrument, the 1697 Antonio Stradivarius “Rainville” violin.
“These past two years have been so great to be able to work on my craft,” he said of his studies at Thornton at the time, “… and then have the flexibility to be able to go elsewhere and perform.”
“The 24-hour practice rooms help a lot,” he added, smiling.
Fullana joins fellow USC alums, the Calder Quartet, in being awarded the prestigious grant. Founded at USC, the quartet (Benjamin Jacobson, violin; Andrew Bulbrook, violin; Jonathan Moerschel, viola; Eric Byers, cello) was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2014.
Fullana will present a recital at USC Thornton on Sunday, May 6th at 6:30PM.
