In an anemic classical music recording industry, its pretty big news that Mr Karadaglic has been signed by one of the most prominent labels in the biz. For guitarists as a whole this is great news but especially for Miloš. I had the pleasure of studying alongside Miloš at the Royal Academy in London back in 2003 and I can not think of a more dedicated and sincere musician to become a banner bearer for our clan! Bravo Miloš!

Here is the original release:

Deutsche Grammophon is delighted to announce the signing of an exclusive recording-agreement with guitar virtuoso Miloš Karadaglic.

This young classical guitarist is preparing his début album for release in spring 2011.

Michael Lang, President, Deutsche Grammophon, said, “We’re thrilled to work with Miloš – he’s a terrific talent, an engaging personality – and we know the time is now to re-establish the classical guitar in the world of music. Miloš is the one.”

The début album by Miloš will pay tribute to the guitarist’s own Mediterranean roots. Featuring music from his Montenegro homeland and from the Balkans and Spain, and by composers such as Granados, Domeniconi and Albéniz, the recording will explore the Euro-Arabian world that his instrument has come from.

Born in Montenegro in 1983, Miloš has already established himself as one of today’s most gifted guitar virtuosos. He began playing the guitar at the age of eight, and quickly won national recognition for his performances. At sixteen, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music where, after graduating with First Class Honors, he went on to complete a Masters degree in Performance.

Miloš said of his signing: “Deutsche Grammophon is a home to many of my musical idols. When I was a child, I remember listening to the great guitarist, Andrés Segovia, and dreaming that one day I, too, might have such a career. Now it is becoming a reality and my dreams are being fulfilled more quickly than I could possibly have imagined. I am honored and excited to begin my collaboration with this fantastic label and hope, through my playing, that I will bring the guitar to a new generation of listeners.”

Musescore – Free music composition and notation software

Of interest to all musicians is a notation program called Musescore. Using a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) style editor this user friendly piece of software could be a great alternative to the complex and pricey Sibelius and Finale. If any guitarists out there have experience with this software please let us know what you think!

http://musescore.org/

More Competition Winners

Srdjan Bulat has won the 11th Julian Arcas competition in Almeria (Spain) and in doing so has received a handsome ten thousand euros, a recording contract, guitar by Juan Miguel Gonzalez and several concerts. Not too shabby

Rafael Aguirre Minarro was awarded first prize at the Koblenz International Guitar Competition in Germany followed by Andras Csaki in second place.
See press release from Koblenz

Craig Ogden, the phenomenal Australian guitarists has reportedly left his valuable 2003 Greg Smallman guitar in the back of a London cab. After several attempts to recover the instrument his record label has offered a 5000 pound reward for its safe return. Any information can be sent to:

lostguitar@classicfm.com

Competition Winners

GFA – Johannes Moller

Cordoba International Guitar Festival – Sanja Plohl

Boston Guitar Fest – Artyom Dervoed

JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition – Artyom Dervoed

Koblenz International Guitar Competition – Rafael Aguirre Miñarro.

Concerts

John Williams – Wigmore Hall London – Wednesday 13 October 2010 – 7:30 PM

Craig Ogden - Royal Albert Hall – 30 September

Simon Powis - New York Classical Guitar Society – September 12

Adelaide International Guitar Festival opens their new website

http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/guitarfestival/

Interview online with Ernesto Tamayo

http://www.witf.org/lifestyle/creative-zone/3684-the-creative-zone-

NYC CGS 2009 -2010 Concert Series: Frederic Hand

April 30, 2010

Engelman Recital Hall
Baruch College Performing Arts Center
55 Lexington Avenue

http://www.nyccgs.com/index.php

The World premiere of David Del Tredici‘s Facts of Life

Thursday, April 29, 7:30 pm

David Leisner, guitar

Yolanda Kondonassis, harp

A 35-minute solo guitar piece commissioned for the occasion.  It now carries the  subtitle, “a symphony for solo guitar”, which says it all.  This is a significant moment for the guitar repertoire – don’t miss it!

Joining David on the first half of the concert is the great harpist, Yolanda Kondonassis.  We will perform the gorgeous Sonata: Spirit of Trees by Alan Hovhaness and the elegant, but little-known Fantasia by Xavier Montsalvatge.

http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/5998-guitar-plus-david-leisner-guitar-and-yolanda-kondonassis-harp

New manuscript of Romanza dicovered!

Leading 19th century music specialists have discovered what academics have confirmed to be the original manuscript of the world’s most famous guitar solo, Romanza. Age has wearied the manuscript and the composer’s name remains lost. However, barely legible musical markings confirm that for decades the performance practices of many beginner guitarists have led the vanguard of understanding of this sometimes complex music. Classical Guitar Review would like to thank Andrew Blanch and the Sydney Classical Guitar Society, who discovered the manuscript, for granting permission to publish this invaluable resource.

Download the PDF here and share this amazing discovery with your friends!

I am searching for six guitarists from around the world who have incredible stories to tell. They will form part of the documentary and may have the opportunity to contribute to the music within the film. I am looking to find passionate people who maybe have developed a unique playing style or have an incredible story to tell about guitar music – how it transformed or changed their lives and more about the mystique and influence of the instrument – the more extraordinary, heart rending or radical, the better!

Guitarists can enter their video pitch via their YouTube (or similar) account for an opportunity to appear in the film. The film is being funded by a crowdfunding business model and there are many ways for people to get involved and help out on this site.

I hope you will follow the journey and become involved in the making of this film and to promote the music of the beloved guitar.

James Smith, Director and Writer

http://www.rayafilms.com/sixstrings/

Verdery Master Class

Benjamin Verdery announces the eleventh annual guitar class on the island of Maui in Hawaii from Wednesday, July 21 through Friday, July 30, 2010.
Ben believes that the beautiful surroundings inspire the student to play in ways they may not at home. There will be a concert by Mr. Verdery, and student recitals at two spectacular and intimate locations: the Lahaina Jodo Buddhist Mission and the Keawala’i Congregational Church in Makena, Maui. Each student will play three times during the ten-day class.

New applicants only:
Ben’s Maui masterclass traditionally has had a variety of ages and levels from beginners/amateurs to young professionals. Due to the popularity of the class, Ben is asking to hear an audio or video of each new applicant. The recording will help Ben decide whether there is space for the level of the student applying. This recording should include two contrasting works of style and tempo. This recording need not be done professionally and should not cause stress! Thank you for your understanding. Please send CDs by February 15, 2010 to Benjamin Verdery, 711 Amsterdam Avenue, #10 G, New York, NY 10025. We will notify you by March 1, 2010 whether you are accepted. If you want your tape or CD returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Classes will be held daily for approximately three to six hours at St. Theresa’s Church, located in walking distance to the Hale Kai O’Kihei Condos.  In addition to the master class each day there will be ensemble coaching and discussions on certain topics such as technique, practicing, posture, performance anxiety, career development, competitions and recital preparation.  Mr. Verdery will teach any repertoire including original compositions and/or any aspect of their playing that the student would like to work on. Students should come with two or more solo pieces of any level of difficulty that could be performed within a few days of arrival.  By mid-June, a schedule for the week will be set, and repertoire will be announced so that people will have a chance to borrow/buy music that will be studied. Ensemble music will be sent in advance so students can start rehearsals early in the week.

All students will get a chance to perform at one or more concerts during the week. The atmosphere of the class is very casual but active. In the past there have been group trips arranged around the classes and concerts to other areas of Maui, including beaches, rainforests and the Haleakala volcano.

Tuition is $400, which does not include room and board. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2010 and interested participants should send a $150 check deposit – payable to Benjamin Verdery, 711 Amsterdam Avenue, #10 G, New York, NY, 10025. The $250 balance of tuition must be paid upon arrival in Maui.

Accommodations are reserved at the Hale Kai O’Kihei Condos on the beach in Kihei, South Maui.
The two bedrooms have two bathrooms and the one bedrooms have one bathroom…both units have a queen sized hideabed in the living room. All have AC, VCR’s, TV, fully equipped kitchens & private lanais (terraces) FACING the ocean. Amenities include a fresh-water pool, a putting green, laundry facilities and outdoor barbecues. It is a short walk to a major grocery market, specialty shops, drug store and post office.
Rates are based upon a 7-night stay:
One bedroom – $105-135 per night plus tax (for two persons)
Two bedrooms – $130-150 per night plus tax (for four persons)
Extra person rate is $10 per night plus tax per person. Hawaii State Tax and insurance is not included in the rate.

If you are planning to share a one or two-bedroom apartment, the deposit is $100. Best efforts will be made to accommodate people that would like help in finding a roommate for the week. The deposit is also payable to Benjamin Verdery.
If you are planning to share an apartment, the balance due for your apartment must be paid 60 days prior to your arrival in Maui.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you want your own apartment, would like to make your own accommodation plans or intend to come early or stay after the class, please call AA Oceanfront Condominiums (1-800-488-6004) and a deposit of 25% will need to be sent to them directly. Mention that you are with the Guitar Class Group. Early reservations are advised!
Full balance is due to AA Oceanfront 60 days before arrival.

You must make your own air travel and/or car rental reservations. Many airlines fly direct to the Kahului Airport in Maui, and when pricing flights you should ask about this option, as it will eliminate a connecting flight from Honolulu to Kahului.

You must let us know your travel and accommodation plans by April 30, 2010.

Please call/email Rie Schmidt for further information.

Rieschmidt@aol.com
www.benjaminverdery.com
(212) 662-8795 phone
(212) 864-9166 fax

MAY 31st – JUNE 4th, 2010

FOR COMPETITION APPLICATION PLEASE EMAIL REQUEST TO
fallettacomp@aol.com, subject, Application Request.
Web site: www.fallettacompetition.org . TEL: 716.681.8106   FAX: 716.681.9208.

For the fourth time the Centre for Musical instrument Building (Centrum voor Muziekinstrumentenbouw – Cmb ), organizes the International CordeFactum-festival.
This time we’ll focus on the guitar with lectures, workshops, masterclasses, concerts and a
GUITAR MAKERS FAIR

Programme

George Lowden ( IRL )
Lecture about his steel-string guitars / READ MORE…

Ken Parker ( US )
lecture about his famous arch-tops / READ MORE…

Ulrich Teuffel ( DE )
lecture about his exeptional designed  guitars / READ MORE…

Panel-talk: Ken Parker and Ulrich Teuffel will  be assembled
in a panel to discuss….

Dominique Field ( FR )
lecture about classical guitar construction / READ MORE…

Andrea Tacchi ( IT )
lecture about classical guitar construction

Panel-talk: Dominique Field and Andrea Tacchi will  be
assembled in a panel to discuss….

Gernot Wagner (DE )
lecture about his composite-top guitar…

Muriel Anderson ( U.S.)
will give a concert and a masterclass / READ MORE…

Igor Presnyakov ( RU )
Concert

Philip Catherine (B) will play  in duo with
Sylvain Luc ( FR )
They both will also give a masterclass

SoloDuo , Matteo Mela & Lorenzo Micheli ( IT )
Concert and masterclass

Fabio Zanon ( BR )
Concert & masterclass
The subscription form for the festival-activities will be available
on this page very soon. ( january )

Participation at the guitar fair is by invitation only.
Please contact karel.dedain@cmbpuurs.be for more information

Julian Bream

Julian Bream, the world revered classical guitarist, has donated his personal art collection to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This extraordinary glimpse into the private thoughts and life of such a celebrated musician can be viewed at the Weston Gallery at RWCMD.

Read More…