Passion and Fire: How Russian-Born Virtuoso Grisha Goryachev Became a Flamenco Guitar Master
In a wide-ranging phone interview, Goryachev discusses his early training, interactions with Paco de Lucía, arrival in America, and approach to performing.
Mark Small
Mark Small is a New England-based classical guitarist, composer, and music journalist.
UK Guitarist-Composer Laura Snowden Combines Instrument and Voice for Fresh Classical Sounds
Snowden shares reflections on her education, the extramusical disciplines that inform her practice regimen, and her adventurous work as a composer-arranger.
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Review: ‘Live At Hampden Hall’ Reaffirms Ana Vidović’s Top-Tier Status
This new release captures the classical guitar virtuoso in a spectacular live performance with no editing or alternate takes.
Rising Classical Virtuoso Plínio Fernandes Explores the Music of His Native Brazil Through a Baroque Lens
Fernandes discusses his new album, his classical foundation, and the auspicious career opportunities now unfolding before him.
GFA Hall of Fame Inductee Sharon Isbin Has Expanded the Reach, Reputation, and Repertoire of the Classical Guitar
Isbin’s widespread career is full of collaborations both inside and outside of the classical guitar world.
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Christopher Mallett Shines a Light on Pioneering Black American Guitarist and Composer Justin Holland
Mallett breathes new life into music that has languished since Holland’s passing more than a century ago.
A Guide to Playing Guitar Throughout Your Lifetime
Five high-achieving guitarists share how they maintain and continually improve their skills, while offering advice applicable to players of all styles.
Spain and the Guitar: The Modern Classical Instrument Owes Much to Deep Iberian Roots
Many significant developments in classical guitar design and technique flourished in Spain during the past few centuries, but the story indeed began many years—perhaps millennia—earlier.
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Six Decades into His Musical Journey, Classical Guitarist Eliot Fisk Still Seeks New Summits
Now age 68, classical guitar virtuoso Eliot Fisk turns momentarily wistful looking back over his long and storied career. “Years pass by and I think, ‘How can this be?’ I’m just getting started,” he says, voice rising. “I’m at the point where I’m looking at the last chapters of my life.”
South Korean Classical Guitarist Bokyung Byun Has Seen Tremendous Success Since Moving to the U.S.
South Korea–born classical guitar virtuoso Bokyung Byun (aka “Bo”) is riding a wave of musical achievements.
Berta Rojas Celebrates Classical Guitar Pioneers Ida Presti and María Luisa Anido on ‘Legado’
Berta Rojas' album Legado features 12 tracks composed by or written in homage to a pair of classical guitar pioneers: Ida Presti (1924–1967) of France and María Luisa Anido (1907–1996) of Argentina.
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Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Marks 40 Years of Inspiring Guitarists, Composers, and Fans Around the World
The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ), which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is as renowned for its virtuosity as for its adventurous musical programming.
Brazilian Journey: Guitarist João Luiz Takes the Music of His Homeland Around the Globe
Brazilian classical guitarist João Luiz, known best for his work with Brasil Guitar Duo, came up in a musical culture where many musicians crisscross genres happily.
Ana Vidovic’s Live and Virtual Recitals Have Made Her One of the Classical Guitar’s Brightest Stars
Live and virtual recitals—including on YouTube—have helped fuel Ana Vidovic’s rise as one of the world’s most popular classical guitarists.
Kathrin Hauser and Her Family’s Guitar-Making Dynasty
The Hauser guitar making dynasty started in the late 19th century with Josef Hauser (1854–1939) and continues today with Hermann Hauser III and his daughter Kathrin Hauser.
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Classical Guitarist Adam Levin Bridges Multiple Styles on ‘21st Century Spanish Guitar’
Adam Levin's 21st Century Spanish Guitar Vol. 4 chronicles the most recent chapter in the Spanish guitar legacy by spotlighting new solo works (and one concerto).
Leo Brouwer Redefines Classical Guitar Repertoire with His Blend of Yoruban and Modernist Elements
For six decades, Cuban-born Leo Brouwer has been at the vanguard of guitarist-composers. Here's a look into how his work has helped redefine classical guitar repertoire.
Jazz Guitarist Pat Metheny Teams Up with Jason Vieaux and the L.A. Guitar Quartet on New Classical Compositions
On 'Road to the Sun,' Pat Metheny enlisted classical guitarists Jason Vieaux and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) to perform compositions he wrote for them.
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Irina Kulikova Explores Her Formative Influences as a Child Prodigy in Russia
Irina Kulikova’s life story is an inspiring tale of how natural talent, hard work, and family support combined to launch her as an internationally renowned classical guitar virtuoso.
Gear Review: Augustine’s Imperial and Regal Nylon Strings Receive Colorful New Packaging
Augustine Strings has relaunched the premium Imperial and Regal classical guitar lines with new packaging to enable guitarists to easily identify which of the four sets will best serve them.
Classical Guitar Standard Bearer Manuel Barrueco Explores His Roots in the Music of Spain and Cuba
Speaking about recording his upcoming album, classical guitar giant Manuel Barrueco asked in a recent phone interview: “Do you know ‘A la Cubana’ by Enrique Granados? I have re-recorded it three times because the arrangement just wasn’t right. It’s hard…
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Learn Manuel Barrueco’s Serene Reading of “Estrellita”
Mexican composer Manuel Ponce's most successful piece by far is “Estrellita” (“Little Star”), a romantic song for which he wrote both music and lyrics in 1912. The tune is beloved throughout the Spanish-speaking world and has been hugely popular since the 1930s.
Sharon Isbin’s Multihued Musical Experience
During a phone call from her New York City home, multi-Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin’s voice reveals patience and acceptance regarding the situation imposed by the current pandemic that has kept her and every other touring artist out of concert halls.…
John Williams Travels Beyond the Classical Guitar’s European Roots
In the pantheon of classical guitar greats, Australia-born John Williams stands as a most imposing figure. For decades he has been the archetype for recitalists of the post-Segovia era. His singular technical abilities and thoroughgoing approach to the music he…
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Guitarist/Composer/Teacher Benjamin Verdery Has Taken the Eclectic Road
Benjamin Verdery inhabits his own exclusive territory in the classical guitar world. Among the virtuosi of the baby boomer generation, it’s not hard to make a case that Verdery has explored the most diverse musical terrain.