Anabel Montesinos — Altamira Home Concert

Anabel Montesinos, the youngest winner (at the age of 17 years old) of the Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition in Spain, is a leader figure on the classical guitar worldwide. As Winner of more than 10 first prizes in major guitar contests like the Michele Pittaluga, Citá di Alessandria, in Italy, the Julián Arcas, in Spain, the Raifeisenwettbewerb in Salzburg, Austria, among others, Anabel Montesinos has performed concerts all around the world, made her Debut at the Carnegie Hall in the year 2011, she has played Concierto de Aranjuez by J. Rodrigo in Postdam “open air concerts”, Berlin, for more than 4000 people, and performed with orchestras like the Philharmonic of Turin-Italy, Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra-Venezuela, Philharmonic of Oulu- Finland, Havana Philharmonic-Cuba, Philharmonic of Moscow-Russia, etc.

She is also a Honor Citizen of the city of Solero, in Italy. In the year 2011 she won “Premio Chitarra D’Oro” as promising young talent and acknowledge of her artistic activities, at the Convegno Internazionale di Chitarra, in Alessandria. Anabel Montesinos has recorded for the label Naxos, and her first CD was chosen as a part of the music program for intercontinental flights by the British Airways. Her albums have been praised by the international press highlighting the beauty, freshness and virtuosity of her interpretations. She has shared a concert poster with Paco de Lucía, presenting "the other side of Spanish music" with a resounding success.

Her tour in 2019 finished with the performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen for orchestra, choir and guitar, a selection of songs from the rock band which was praised with outstanding ovation. She plays on a Steve Connor guitar and is a Savarez Artist.

Aniello Desiderio — Altamira Artist Spotlight

In 1992 Aniello Desiderio graduated with honours from the Conservatory of Music in Alessandria.

At the age of eight, he performed in public for the first time, displaying such outstanding gifts that music critics started to speak of him as an “enfant prodige,” “wunderkind,” “a genius,” “the Orpheus of the guitar,” “a guitarist of the century,” and “il Fenomeno.”

He has won 18 first International Awards in both national and international competitions, including 1st Prize and Special Prize for the best interpretation of South American music at the International Guitar Competition in Havana, Cuba (1988); “Neapolitan of the Year” Award, Italy (1988); 1st Prize and Special Prize of the best interpretation of Tarrega’s music at the International Francisco Tarrega Competition, Benicasim, Spain (1992); and 1st Prize at the International “Guerrero” Competition, Madrid, Spain (1995).

He performs as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa; regularly in the most important theaters of the world including Carnegie Hall, Palau de La Musica, Munich Philarmonie, Alte Opera, Tonhalle, Teatro delle Palme, Radio France, Die Gloke, Istanbul Philarmonie, Berlin, Philarmonie, and Opera House Wien.

Mr. Desiderio has performed with Virtuosi di Mosca with Vladimir Spivakov, RSO Berliner, Deutche Kammerphilarmonie, Alessandro Scarlatti, I Pomeriggi Musicali, Bach Collegium, Wiener Kammerorchester, and some of the most prestigious music festivals all over the world.

In 1999, the German Television BR/ARD produced a music film and a portrait of Mr. Desiderio in Naples, that was broadcast throughout Europe. Also, he received the “Artist in Residence Award 1999” from the German Radio DLF and the Musikfest Bremen together with Gidon Kremer. Mr. Desiderio was invited to the 70th birthday Gala of Maestro Lorn Maazel by the Bavarian Radio and Television station. Together with his brothers Gennaro and Gaetano Desiderio, and other famous Neapolitan musicians, he founded the group Passione Napoletana, performing the highly emotional music of his home town Naples: “Serenate, Tanghi, Danze, Canzoni e Tarantelle Napoletane.”

Recent appearances included performances with the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra and Romulo Larrea (Bandoneon) Tango con Passion, in Germany and with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra in Turkey. He records for FRAME; WAKU MUSIC; KOCH-UNIVERSAL; and since 2006, he records for his own company ADORO RECORDS.

In fall 2009, he created his recording project: “Quartetto Furioso” with violinist Gennaro Desiderio, pianist Gaetano Desiderio and percussionist Salvatore Minale playing a program consisting of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” and realized the production of a CD of this project for the famous German label Termidor, which includes artists such as Paquito D’ Rivera and Sabine Mayer.

In 2010, Aniello performed the “Concerto Madrigal” of J. Rodrigo with legendary classical guitarist Angel Romero. Since then, he gives summer masterclass at the International Academy for Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria). Renowned guitarist John McLaughlin chose Mr. Desiderio for the European Premier of his Concerto “Thieves and Poets.” In high demand as a teacher, he’s a professor at the Conservatorio Domenico Cimarosa of Avellino (Italy). In 2017 he created his latest record “ Nocturnal” for Accelerando Music Production in Germany.

Carlotta Dalia — Altamira Home Concert

Carlotta Dalia was born on 25 August 1999 in Grosseto.

She began studying classical guitar at the age of 8 with M° Alessandro Benedettelli, continuing her studies under the guidance of M° Aniello Desiderio, M° Carlo Marchione and Mº Giampaolo Bandini.

In 2017, she obtained the Diploma of Merit by attending M° Oscar Ghiglia’s courses at the prestigious Accademia Chigiana in Siena.

Carlotta is currently studying in Laura Young’s class at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. She gave her first solo recital at the age of 12 and has performed in Festivals and Concert Seasons in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Russia, Ireland, Switzerland and Japan etc..

At the age of 16 she recorded her first CD, entitled “Gran Solo”, presented at the radio studios of Radio Vaticana, in the program “L’arpeggio” conducted by Luigi Picardi and then published in the most important world stores of online distribution by the DotGuitar/CD record label. In 2018 he released his second record for the music magazine “Suonare News”. In 2020 she recorded two new recording projects, for DotGuitar/CD, “Angelus” and “Ida Presti complete solo guitar music” which will also be attached to and distributed by GuitArt magazine during 2021. The CD “Angelus” takes its name from the Sonatina in three movements dedicated to her by Maestro Gilardino in August 2017. In 2021 the record label DotGuitar/CD will name a series after her, the Carlotta Dalia Edition, containing 3 CDs. She has been a guest on radio stations such as Rai Radio3, La radio della Svizzera Italiana, il Sole24Ore. She took part in Sergio Assad’s project entitled “The Wall”, with artists of the calibre of Yo-Yo Ma.

Since the beginning of her artistic career, she has won more than 40 prizes in national and international competitions including:

1st Prize and Audience Award – International Competition “Uppsala Guitar Competition”, Sweden
1st Prize, Special Prize for the best Italian performer and Special Prize for the best interpretation of a piece by Leo Brouwer – International Competition International Competition “Niccolò Paganini”, Parma
1st Prize at the International Altamira Guitar Competition – Hong Kong, China
1st Prize at the International Florida Guitar Competition – Miami, USA
3rd Prize – 61st International Tokyo Guitar Competition, Tokyo, Japan
3rd Prize – International Competition “Alexander Frauchii” – Moscow, Russia.
1st Prize at the Concurso International de Guitarra de Madrid.

Doug de Vries — Altamira Home Concert

DOUG DE VRIES (B1960) IS AN AUSTRALIAN JAZZ GUITARIST WHO HAS SPENT SEVERAL DECADES WORKING ACROSS MANY GENRES AND IS A DEDICATED COMPOSER FOR BOTH 6 & 7-STRING GUITAR, EXCELLING IN CHORO, SAMBA, BOSSA NOVA, JAZZ AND ROOTS MUSIC. 

He exhibits a strong affinity with Brazilian guitar repertoire and has recorded a number of collections of original works and classic Brazilian repertoire, ‘DdV Solo’ among others.
DdV is particularly noted for his sophisticated guitar arrangements and accompaniments, deep musical knowledge, and daring improvisations in solo or group settings.
He was a founding member of singer Vince Jones’s combo throughout the 1980s in which they built a loyal following and made their seminal recordings; afterwards working as resident guitarist in the house band with Paul Grabowsky on Steve Vizard's Tonight Live in the early ’90s.
Has toured extensively both internationally, (Brazil, USA, Canada, India, China, Singapore, UK, New Caledonia, New Zealand) and domestically in all states and territories of Australia, recorded with major Australian artists such as instrumentalists: Don Burrows, James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Joe Chindamo, Andrew Pendlebury, vocalists: Vince Jones, Judy Jacques, Diana Clark, Kate Ceberano, Anthony Warlow, and USA vocalists: Barbara Morrison, Andy Bey and Lalah Hathaway.
His performance credits in the world of Brazilian music are exemplary, having performed and recorded with Yamandú Costa, Hermeto Pascoal, Maurício Carrilho, Luciana Rabello, Jorginho do Pandeiro, Ronaldo do Bandolim, Paulo Aragão, Proveta and Lula Galvão.
He lives and works in Melbourne.  

Gabriel Bianco — Altamira Artist Spotlight

Gabriel Bianco is considered to be one of nowadays’s finest classical guitarists. Gabriel has won first prize in several international competitions, has performed in over fifty countries spanning every continent, and has recorded 8 CDs.

ADAMI Classic Revelation in 2011 as well as first prize competing in Sernancelhe (Portugal, 2005), Ile de Ré (France, 2006), Gitarre Forum Wien (Austria, 2006), “Silesian Autumn” in Tychy (Poland, 2006) , “Hubert Käppel” in Koblenz (Germany, 2007), Barbezieux (France, 2007), Guitar Foundation of America (United States of America, 2008), “Fundación Gredos san Diego” in Madrid (Spain, 2011), “ Andrés Ségovia” in Almuñecar (Spain, 2012).

Gabriel Bianco has performed in concert in prestigious venues such as the Théâtre du Châtelet, la Folle Nantes Day, the Radio-France Occitanie Festival, the International Festival of guitar in Paris, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, the Luis Arango Auditorium in Bogota, the Central Conservatory of Beijing, the Musashino Art Center and the Yamaha Hall in Tokyo, the Kyiv Philharmonic, the Zurich Opera and the Lausanne Opera.

Gabriel Bianco is passionate about chamber music. He has been a member of Quatuor Eclisses since its creation in 2012, for which he has composed many arrangements and has recorded 4 records with the Ad Vitam record label.

He also performs with Marina Viotti (Mezzo-soprano), always with his arrangements of classical and popular music, whose record release is scheduled for April 2023 with the Aparté label.

He has also made record dueting with oboist Michaela Hrabankova on the Ad Vitam label. He occasionally shares the stage with Edgar Moreau (cello), Maïté Louis (violin), Mathilde Caldérini (flute), Lola Descours (bassoon), Kévin Amiel (tenor), Romuald Grimbert-Barré (violin).

Bianco has recorded 2 solo records, the first with the Naxos label in a Bach, Mertz & Koshkin programme then with the Ad Vitam Records label in Da Milano, Scarlatti, Regondi & Paganini programmes. Gabriel is very active in the creation of contemporary pieces.

He has worked with Atanas Ourkouzounov, Sergio Assad, Karol Beffa, Orestis Kalampalikis, Matthieu Stefanelli, Jules Matton, Camille Pépin, Inès Halimi and Thomas Viloteau on the creation of new works for solo guitar or chamber music.

Born in 1988 in Paris. Gabriel started playing the guitar with his father. In 1997, he enrolled at the CNR (Conservatoire National de Région) in Paris in Ramon de Herrera’s class.

He was in music-study until the baccalaureate. In 2005 he was unanimously admitted to the CNSMDP (National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris) where he joined Olivier Chassain’s class.

He won his guitar prize in 2008 and his chamber music prize in 2015, both times with the congratulations of the jury.

Since 2018, Gabriel Bianco is Senior Docent at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He gives individual guitar lessons and directs the classical guitar section. He plays exclusively on Savarez. strings.

Today, he directs the higher education at the “Conservatorium van Amsterdam” (Netherlands), he gives individual lessons there.

Irina Kulikova — Altamira Concert

Kanahi Yamashita — Altamira Home Concert

Kanahi Yamashita was born in Nagasaki in 1997. Already in her early childhood she toured the USA, Europe and Asia with the Kazuhito Yamashita Family Quintet, which released two CDs, Kasane and Little Henny Penny finds love. At the age of 13 she gave her solo debut during a series of worldwide duo concerts with her father.

Since 2015 Kanahi lives in Berlin, furthering her musical education at the University of the Arts Berlin with Professor Thomas Müller-Pering, obtaining her Bachelors degree in 2018 and Masters degree in 2021, both with distinction. Following her graduation, she is currently undertaking a degree in vocal pedagogy in Berlin as well as her second Masters with Professor Björn Colell at the Nuremberg University of Music. In Berlin she also received years of intensive musical training from Carlo Domeniconi, which ultimately led to the CD ,,Carlo Domeniconi Selected Works VIII – Guitar solo: Kanahi Yamashita“, which was released in 2021. She regularly gives solo and chamber music concerts, including in the great hall of the Konzerthaus Berlin, and is invited as a soloist to international festivals.

In 2016 Kanahi received a scholarship lasting three years from the Yamaha Music Foundation, and in 2020 from the Rohm Music Foundation. She was a semi-finalist at the 66th ARD Music Competition in Munich in 2017. She has won various competitions, including the German Guitar Prize 2019 in Darmstadt and 2nd prize at the 10th Int. Martinez Guitar Competition Iserlohn 2021. Since Nov. 2021 Kanahi is a D´Addario Artists.

Ken Murray — Altamira Home Concert

Ken Murray has developed a singular path as a guitarist combining performance, composition, teaching and research. He has championed and recorded Spanish music from the early twentieth century, worked extensively with contemporary composers and has been active as a performer of Brazilian and South American musical styles. As a composer he has written a variety of works for guitar in solo and ensemble settings.

Murray has a strong commitment to performing contemporary music and has performed in premiere performances of over 100 works. An integral part of his activities has been working with Australian composers. He enjoys ongoing collaborations with composers who have written for him works for solo guitar, electric guitar and CD, electric guitar and ensemble, guitar and voice, large chamber works and music theatre pieces featuring guitar. His CDs and concerts have been broadcast on ABC FM and he has performed on the Austrian label Kairos (Italy), Mode Records (USA), Move, Tall Poppies and ABC Classics.

He performs internationally with Ensemble Three with Joel Brennan (trumpet) and Don Immel (trombone). Through their performances in Australia and overseas, a dedication to commissioning new works, and an ever-expanding catalogue of recordings, Ensemble Three has established itself as “an inspiring example of forward-thinking classical music culture in Australia” (CutCommon).

Murray graduated PhD from the University of Melbourne, where he is Associate Professor and Head of Guitar at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Kevin Loh — Altamira Home Concert

Singaporean classical guitarist Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, having performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls as well as winning many international awards. Kevin is also passionate about giving back to society through music education, as well as raising funds for various charities in Singapore and across the region. Kevin studied for seven years at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School in Britain and is now pursuing his undergraduate degree in Music at the University of Cambridge as a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation.

Mak Grgic — Altamira Home Concert

Pavel Steidl — Altamira Home Concert

Pavel Steidl was born in Rakovnik (Czech Republic). Since he won first prize at the Radio France International Competition in Paris in 1982, he has become one of the most widely celebrated soloists of his generation.

Before that he studied with guitarists Milan Zelenka and Stephan Rak in Prague. In 1987 he decided to emigrate to Netherland where after years of studying and getting inspiration from many different artists, he created his own style which honours the authentic way of 19th-century guitar literature interpretation on periodic instruments and going far to some world music elements. Since 2004 he moved back to Czech republic and since 2015 gives lectures at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and the Conservatoire in The Hague.

He has had the honor to work together with such artists as Leo Brouwer, Carlo Domeniconi, Paolo Paolini, John Wiliams, Miroslav Vitous, Karin Schaupp, Edin Karamazov and others. Together with Zoran Dukic, Reentko Dirks and Thomas Fellow he is a member of Europian Guitar Quartet since 2012.

Pavel Steidl also composes himself and his own compositions are often played on his concerts or on the recordings. He has played in more then 40 countries in the world including Canada, USA, China, India, Japan, Europe, South and Central America, Australia and many others.

Rene's Izquierdo — Altamira Home Concert

Cuban-born René Izquierdo is a unique artist and passionate educator whose career has been dedicated to inspiring individuals and connecting communities. Whether passionately performing on stage, devotedly mentoring his students, fundraising, or leading community outreach, René’s multi-faceted approach endeavors to continue creating experiences that enrich people’s lives and add beauty to our world.

Through his “unforgettable versatility, sensitivity and sublime musicianship” (Classical Guitar Magazine), René has firmly established himself as one of the world’s classical guitar virtuosos. He is celebrated for his ability to weave an unparalleled technical command of his instrument with his gift of storytelling, accomplishing an intimate musical experience with his audience.

With over seventy engagements per year, whether as a solo performer, chamber musician, or as a guest soloist with orchestras, he has performed to critical acclaim touring extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. He is frequently invited by renowned festivals and institutions, having played at stages such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Manaus Opera House in Brazil, and National Recital Hall in Taiwan.

Self-described as a lifelong learner and explorer, his recording projects reflect his wide-ranging interests. Through his discography, René seeks to expand the guitar repertoire frequently performing new arrangements, lesser-known music of the 20th century as well as world premieres of concertos and new compositions.

As an educator, René is passionate about engaging the mind and the heart. Through his teachings all around the world, he shares his belief that the greatest musicians not only have the technical mastery to communicate effectively but also are deeply curious, and equally adept at analytical and emotional modes of thought.

Ricardo Gallén — Altamira Home Concert

Ricardo Gallén is a distinguished guitarist with a continuously flourishing career. His inspiring and innovative interpretations place him on the top musicians, while his revolutionary and influential playing and teaching are the best proof of his quality.

“Immense creativity and virtuosity, which is sensed by just looking at his hands”, the words of Maestro Leo Brouwer raise Ricardo Gallén to a level of mastery very rarely seen.

His rare combination of virtuosity and musicianship has captivated audiences around the world in solo recitals, duets or with orchestras in great concert halls such as the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the National Auditorium in Madrid, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, the Auer Hall in Indiana University and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki among others.

His recordings, since his very first album, receive sensational reviews. His last works of the Bach Complete Lute Works and Fernando Sor – Guitar Sonatas as well as his album En Silencio are being widely approved as masterpieces by the specialised press.

Recently he has been awarded the Medal of Fine Arts by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Granada, Spain.

Ricardo Gallén has performed numerous Premiers of world known composers and participated in several projects under the direction of important conductors such as Maximiano Valdes, En Shao, Juan José Mena, Monica Huggett, Leo Brouwer, Jordi Savall and Seirgiu Comisiona.

Ricardo has won numerous awards in important music competitions (Francisco Tárrega, Andrés Segovia, Markneukirchen among others) and held several teaching positions. In 2009 he received the honor of becoming one of the youngest musicians to obtain a professorship in the prestigious University of Music “Franz Liszt” in Weimar, Germany, a position that he holds until today.

Ricardo Gallén is being a jury member in several international guitar competitions and he is giving Master Classes with great response.

His recordings, since his very first album, receive sensational reviews. His last works of the Bach Complete Lute Works and Fernando Sor – Guitar Sonatas as well as his album En Silencio are being widely approved as masterpieces by the specialised press.

Recently he has been awarded the Medal of Fine Arts by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Granada, Spain.

Stephanie Jones — Altamira Home Concert

Stephanie Jones is an active soloist and chamber musician who is currently based in Germany and studying Konzertexamen at the University of Music Franz Liszt with Prof. Thomas Müller-Pering. Stephanie continues to perform extensively around the globe in multiple tours and festivals, and has also released two solo albums “Colours of Spain” (2015), and “Bach, the Fly, and the Microphone” (2009). She has also won numerous awards in prestigious competitions, including first prize at the Hannabach Guitar competition, Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition, and Fine Music Network Young “Virtuoso of the Year” Competition. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognised as an innovative and deeply musical artist.

Tengyue Zhang — Altamira Home Concert

The highlight of TY Zhang’s international career was the Grand Prize of the 2017 Guitar Foundation of American International Concert Artist Competition (GFA-ICAC), known as the most prestigious guitar contest in the world. TY become the first Chinese to be honored with this prize. His win was followed by a tour with over 50 concerts in the U.S., including his Carnegie Hall debut. In 2018, TY released his solo album with Naxos company as the Laureate Series · Guitar Recital. It was praised as: “one of the most talented young players… I’m struck by the extraordinary levels of mastery, comfort and relative ease.” —Classical Guitar Magazine.

In addition to his GFA win, TY has received First Prizes awards around the world’s top competitions in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., including the Alexander Frauchi International Competition of Russia, the Changsha International Guitar Competition of China, the Schadt String Competition in the US, Austria’s Forum Gitarre Wien International Youth Competition, as well as the GFA Youth International Competition.

As a performing artist, TY has given concert tours and masterclasses throughout the world, including Sydney, Australia; Belgrade, Serbia; Vienna, Austria; St. Petersburg, Moscow, Obninsk, Bryansk, Nizhniy-Novgorod, and Kaluga of Russia; Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto of Japan; Beijing, Tianjin, HongKong, Macao, Changsha, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Kunming and Chongqing of China; and over 50 cities of the United States. He was featured on multiple international radios and Television shows, including Russia’s NIKA-TV and GUBERNIYA-TV and New York’s WQXR’s Greene Space & Radio.

As a teacher, TY was a member of the McCabe teaching fellowship in The Juilliard School, introducing the classical guitar to young audiences as artists and educators. TY has produced teaching lessons on platforms such as Tonebase Guitar, GFATV, and Guitar Era China. TY Zhang is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts teaching assistant at the University of Southern California, offering individual lessons and group classes, and ensemble coaching.

TY Zhang showed his talent since young. He was called the “Little John Williams” at the age of eight by the two influential German guitar masters—The Amadeus Duo, at a masterclass in Beijing. Born in Hebei, a place south of Beijing in China, TY was introduced to a variety of things under the influence of his father, including swim, Chinese Kongfu, Erhu, violin, keyboard, and the classical guitar at the age of five and he liked to play the guitar the most. When he turned seven, TY was introduced to Professor Chen Zhi, whom he studied with at the Music School attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. It was a masterclass that bridged him with Professor Sharon Isbin, with whom he pursued Bachelor and Master of Music degree with at The Juilliard School in New York. TY is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree under Professor William Kanengiser at the University of Southern California.