Andorran Claret Brothers Receive Orde de Carlemany for Musical Legacy

Gerard and Lluís Claret, prominent Andorran cellists born in 1951, received the Orde de Carlemany from Head of Government Xavier Espot during a formal ceremony on Monday at the Foyer of the Auditori Nacional d’Andorra in Ordino.

The distinction honours individuals or entities for exceptional service to the Andorran state, particularly the brothers' nearly six-decade careers blending talent, discipline, and unwavering passion for music. Espot emphasised their pivotal role in advancing the Principality's cultural institutions and projecting Andorra's image worldwide, positioning them as essential references in classical music. He noted their ability to bridge 20th-century masters with emerging performers, alongside decisive contributions like co-founding the Institut de Música d’Andorra la Vella in 1980, ties to the Festival Internacional Narciso Yepes, and Gerard’s foundational work with the Orquestra Nacional Clàssica d’Andorra (ONCA), a key cultural ambassador.

Their paths began under Pau Casals’s influence—their father Andreu served as his secretary, driver, and concert organiser—followed by rigorous training with leading European instructors and appearances on global stages. The brothers turned professional in 1968 at Barcelona’s Palau de la Música Catalana with the Orquestra Ciutat de Barcelona under Antoni Ros Marbà. Career milestones include Lluís’s 1977 Rostropovich Prize, the Trio de Barcelona with pianist Albert Attenelle, Lluís’s performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics closing ceremony with Alicia de Larrocha and others, and Sir Yehudi Menuhin conducting ONCA for his 80th birthday in 1996 at the Narciso Yepes Festival.

The event included performances by the honourees: Beethoven’s Allegro sostenuto from Duo III in B-flat major and Albert Gumí’s Les tres ninetes d’Ordino, the latter previously played at the United Nations for Andorra’s 30th anniversary of membership. Gerard joined sons Jordi and Sergi for Astor Piazzolla’s Oblivion, while Lluís performed Beethoven’s Adagio Cantabile from Trio in C major, Op. 87, with wife Anna Mora and son Daniel.

Now 75, the Clarets have taught at institutions including Barcelona’s Liceu Conservatory, Escola de Música de Barcelona, Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (where Gerard was founding director), the Andorra la Vella Conservatory, and since 2016, Boston’s New England Conservatory, where Lluís heads the strings department. Gerard described ONCA as “the work of my life,” stating their greatest achievement lies in elevating Andorra’s music scene and mentoring its youth.

Operating much of their careers abroad, the brothers act as cultural envoys and previously received Catalonia’s Creu de Sant Jordi in 1996. The award aligns with recent government tributes to figures like Sergi Mas, mossèn Ramon Rossell, cellist Daniel Areny (pending), and posthumous honours for Francesc Galobardes and Josep Viladomat.

Held at Ordino’s leading music venue, the ceremony underscored the Claret brothers’ enduring influence on Andorran string traditions.