FerrisGuitar Information Resources

Augustin Wiedemann

The guitarist Augustin Wiedemann, a resident of Munich, was the 1992 winner of the 6th International Guitar Competition held in Havanna, Cuba. At this internationally famous competition, whose jury members included, among others, Leo Brouwer and Alvaro Pierri, he was also awarded four special prizes (including prizes for the best interpretation of Spanish music and for the best interpretation of Cuban music played by a foreigner). In the same year he was honored with the first „Cultural Award for young artists“ by the city of Deggendorf. From 2001-2004 Augustin Wiedemann was teaching at the Salzburg Mozarteum. In the academic year 2006/2007 he was teaching as visiting professor at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm/Sweden. In Munich he was awarded the “Pasinger Kunst- und Kulturpreis” in 2008.

David Russell

GRAMMY award winner in 2005 for his CD AIRE LATINO, in the category of best instrumental soloist in classical music.

Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997.

Heike Matthiesen

Heike Matthiesen is one of Germany’s leading guitarists whose virtuosity and spirited performance, coupled with a charismatic stage presence, are regularly highlighted by the press.

Born in Braunschweig, she received comprehensive musical training on the piano at an early age and only took up the guitar when she was 18. About a year later, she started studying at the Frankfurt Conservatory. Pepe Romero, who taught her for several years, was the formative influence on her playing.

Joaquin Rodrigo 1901 - 1999'

This composer, the most important Spanish composer of our time, was born on November 22nd, 1901. November 22nd is the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. This is a composer that seems to have done the impossible, for he was not only incredibly gifted, but also blind. He lost his sight at the age of three on account of diphtheria. It is said that when one loses the ability to see, a keen development of the senses takes place, and among them the sense of hearing. This composer definitely shows cogent evidence of this, for his works were great. Among them, his masterpiece, the Concerto de Aranjuez, is probably known by even the most ignorant to classical music. Its second movement, Andante, has not only been used in many do*****entary films on Spain, but also in a great deal of films.

Andrés Segovia 1893 - 1987

Segovia has been give the name, ‘Father of the Classical Guitar,’ not only because he played beautifully, but because he did so much to further its name and reputation as a concert instrument. Andrés Segovia did compose a few selected pieces for the guitar and they are very interesting and very beautiful.

Lily Afshar

Lily Afshar is like a breath of fresh air in the world of classical guitar. Her solo, chamber, and concerto appearances combined with her adventurous recordings have earned her the status of one of the world's foremost classical guitarists according to Public Radio International. The Washington Post described her onstage performances as remarkable, impeccable. But perhaps equally as important is her reputation for expanding the contemporary classical guitar repertoire. Lily's collaborations with international composers have resulted in premieres of new works by Reza Vali, Garry Eister, Gerard Drozd, Loris Chobanian, Arne Mellnas, Kamran Ince, Barbara Kolb, Marilyn Ziffrin, David Kechley, and Salvador Brotons.

Pepe Romero

Celebrated worldwide for his thrilling interpretations and flawless technique, guitarist Pepe Romero is constantly in demand for his solo recitals and performances with orchestra. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have inspired a number of distinguished composers to write works specifically for him, including Joaquín Rodrigo, Federico Moreno Torroba, Rev. Francisco de Madina, Lorenzo Palomo and Celedonio Romero.

David Tanenbaum

David Tanenbaum has been a featured soloist at many international festivals, including those of Bath, Luzern, Frankfurt, Barcelona and Vienna as well as numerous guitar festivals. In 1989, as President of the Second American Classical Guitar Congress, he commissioned five new works, including Rosewood by Henry Brant for a large guitar orchestra. He has subsequently conducted Rosewood more than a dozen times on four continents.

The History of the Guitar

Interestingly enough, no one really knows for sure where the guitar came from. Only hypotheses can be made. I hope that this short piece of writing will help solve a bit of this mystery. If anyone claims to KNOW exactly where the guitar came from, they are talking nonsense. (Click below to read more)