The 2025–2026 season marks the 25th anniversary of Pascual Martínez-Forteza as a member of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, an institution in which he made history by becoming the first and only Spanish musician on its staff to date. Recognized for his rich and expressive sound and impeccable technique, Pascual has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls in Europe, Asia, and America.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has performed under the baton of legendary conductors such as Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, Semyon Bychkov, Sir Simon Rattle—with whom he performed as guest principal clarinet in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra—and Gustavo Dudamel, current music director of the New York Philharmonic. Each year, Pascual gives more than 200 concerts as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member, including collaborations with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (under the direction of Gustavo Gimeno), the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, among others.
A fundamental aspect of his career is his collaboration of more than two decades with the Spanish pianist Gema Nieto, which began with their joint debut at Carnegie Hall. Under the name Duo Forteza-Nieto, they were awarded the New York Sunshine Award in 2017 for their significant contribution to the dissemination of Spanish and Latin American music internationally. Their programs often explore Spanish, French, and American repertoire, performed with a combination of artistry, authenticity, and sensitivity that deeply connects with the audience.
In addition to his artistic work, Pascual develops an intense pedagogical activity. He is a professor at the Manhattan School of Music, New York University (NYU), and the Bard Conservatory, and an adjunct professor at the Juilliard School. He regularly gives international masterclasses, including at the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and the Buffet Crampon Summer Festival, and is part of juries in major international clarinet competitions, such as the Concours International Debussy (Paris), the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition (USA), the National Competition of Peru, Young Artist at ICE, the CIC (City of Lima), and the UNAEM (City of Mexico), among others.
Originally from Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Pascual began his studies with his father, Pascual V. Martínez, and continued them at the Barcelona Conservatory before completing his training with Yehuda Gilad at the University of Southern California, where he won First Prize in the USC Concerto Competition, performing Jean Françaix’s Clarinet Concerto.
He is an exclusive artist of Buffet Crampon and Vandoren.