About Edward

“A strong and endearing performer, already a partner of the greatest in the United States; Body gathered on the instrument, explosive temperament, intoxicating sound, exacerbated contrasts, almost furious phrasing, he bursts the stage” (Diapason Magazine), Venezuelan-American cellist Edward Luengo is a devoted interpreter of the classical masterworks lauded for his performances full of musical fantasy. He has performed at the Rheingau Musik Festival, Kronberg Festival, Music from Salem, Brussels Cello Festival, and Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad. His artistry has led him to receive various honors including the First Prize of the Concurso Jóvenes Intérpretes supported by the Fundación María Paula Alonso, Third Prize of the IX Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition, Festival Ravel Chamber Music Prize, First Prize of the Buchet International Cello Competition, and will be performing in the Next Generation Artists Series at the BOZAR Centre for the Arts 2023/2024 Season.

As a soloist, Edward made his solo debut with the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra conducted by David Ramadanoff performing William Walton's Cello Concerto and maintains essentially every major work of the cello repertoire. He continues to expand the range of the instrument by committing to the works of and collaborating with today’s composers such as Andrea Casarrubios, Guillaume Connesson, Jérôme Ducros, Olli Mustonen, and most recently gave the World Premiere of Fuego Negro by Mexican composer Diana Syrse.

Passionate about chamber music, Edward has performed alongside artists such as Kolja Blacher, Miguel Da Silva, Olli Mustonen, Enrico Pace, and Dénes Várjon. He participated at festivals including Domaine Forget, NAC Young Artists Program, Festival Ravel, Festival MusicAlp, IMS Prussia Cove, Yellow Barn Festival, and has worked closely in masterclasses with Christoph Eschenbach, Anne Gastinel, Kirill Gerstein, Gary Hoffman, Gidon Kremer, Laurence Lesser, Jens-Peter Maintz, András Schiff, Antoine Tamestit, David Waterman, and the Borromeo and Takács String Quartets.

Born in Miami to parents both originally from Venezuela, Edward is the first musician from a family of pilots beginning cello lessons at the age of six with Maria Antonieta Salas and Aaron Merritt. His principal teachers include Jean-Michel Fonteneau, Philippe Muller, Heasook Rhee, Sylvia Rosenberg, and Frans Helmerson - whom he currently works with through the Professional Studies program at the Kronberg Academy. Edward also takes deep inspiration from frequent classes with Steven Isserlis.