This is the first CD of Ireland's next master of classical guitar. Stephen Reck creates an atmosphere of wonder, calm, delicacy, vitality, and energy with a varied program from Scarlatti to the contemporary.

14 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Contemporary, WORLD: South American

Details:
Stephen Reck is a distinctive talent and one of a new generation of classical guitarists emerging from Ireland. "Very nice tone and playing" was how Tony Morris, Director of Classical Guitar Alive, recently described Stephen's debut CD, Saudade. He initially trained with the world renowned John Feeley, having started lessons at the relatively late age of seventeen, having switched from electric guitar. In a very short space of time, he attained such a high standard that he was accepted to the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama (D.I.T.) where he completed his undergraduate studies with John Feeley. He went on to collate further accolades at the Conservatory, among them winning the prestigious SIPTU award for post-graduate study. He then gained an MMus Performance Degree under the tutelage of Carlos Bonell in London.

Since 2004, with the generous financial support of the Irish Arts Council, Stephen has commuted regularly to University of Denver, Colorado to study with the great Cuban virtuoso and pedagogue Ricardo Iznaola who has said that Stephen's playing possesses "Great technique and beautiful sound". He has also been Ricardo's performing assistant at Bowdoin International Music Festival, Maine, USA, and in recent years has performed works such as Seven Desires by the Chinese American composer Tan Dun and Mundus Canis by George Crumb as part of the Gamper Contemporary Music Festival. Stephen is very keen on developing relationships with composers and expanding the repertory. The Italian composer Ottavio Negro, with whom Stephen collaborated described Stephen"Accomplished sensitivity and musicianship"

Stephen's recent performances include an acclaimed recital in the John Field Recital Room of the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Stephen has just released his debut CD Saudade including works by Scarlatti, Turina, Barrios and William Lovelady. Stephen will return to the Concert Hall next year with Flautarra with whom he plays chamber music with the Flautist David Cuthbert. Together they have played widely in the UK providing innovative programming from Bach to works by David Fennessy and Gilbert Biberian.

Tracks:
1 Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata In G Major, K 391
2 Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D major, K177
3 Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, K213
4 Francisco Tarrega: Alborada
5 Francisco Tarrega: Tango
6 Joaquin Turina: Sonata Op. 61 Allegro
7 Joaquin Turina: Sonata Op. 61 Andante
8 Joaquin Turina: Sonata Op. 61 Allegro
9 Agustin Barrios Mangore: Mazurka Apasionata
10 Agustin Barrios Mangore: Choro de Saudade
11 Stephen Dodgson: Fantasy Divisions
12 Andres Segovia: Oracion
13 Andres Segovia: Estudio Sin Luz
14 William Lovelady: Donegal

People who are interested in John Williams Julian Bream David Russell should consider this download.