Danza European Guitar Quartet

• 1 Danza Non Danza 00:00
• 2 Concierto para Quinteto 09:08
• 3 Introduction 01:54
• 4 Dance 03:55
• 5 Medusa 04:03
• 6 Penelope 06:00
• 7 Agrippina 03:28
• 8 Fuga y Misterio 03:44
• 9 Verano Porteno 04:02
• 10 Rafa 06:12
• 11 Farewell 09:58
• Total Runtime 52:24

Info for Danza

The meeting between two global stars of the classical guitar and two outstanding protagonists of the acoustic guitar scene was accompanied by enthusiastic appreciation from both critics and audience alike. ‘The birth of a sparkling new star in the concert sky.’ – is what the critic wrote.

„DANZA“ is the title of the quartet’s debut album, an intense, virtuoso and passionate combination of music from two worlds – South America and Europe – which takes you on a thrilling aural journey. Unique interpretations of the music of Astor Piazzolla contrast with the complex rhythms of Balkan dances (D. Bogdanovic). There are also compositions by the two quartet members Thomas Fellow and Reentko, which present classical music, world music and jazz in a contemporary embrace.

The idea of founding this ensemble was to follow the nature of this incredible instrument – which means: let the players sound absolutely personal. And you can always recognize who is playing. Following the nature of this instrument, the goal could only be to offer as much freedom as possible for the personal approaches and dispositions of the players – of course while interacting and playing together – and an intensive cohesion with all the openness that is possible and imaginable. So it is only natural that instead of trying to sound in complete consonance, the European Guitar Quartet focused on sounding like four different instruments to (re)produce the effect of a complex ensemble. They followed the inspiration of a chamber ensemble – or a jazz or rock band. And at the same time they decided to open their minds and ears as much as possible to all kinds of music, sounds and approaches that seemed to fit for them.

Following the philosophy of the quartet combining the qualities of concert music with a modern approach to the guitar, ‘Danza’ has ist own unique and very intensive soundscape. The listener may imagine himself right in the middle of the quartet.

Pavel Steidl, guitar
Zoran Dukic, guitar
Thomas Fellow, guitar
Reentko, guitar

European Guitar Quartet
These were the words which the German press used to describe the ensemble’s debut concert in Dresden in the spring of 2012. The meeting between two global stars of the classical guitar and two of the most outstanding protagonists of the acoustic guitar scene was accompanied by enthusiastic appreciation from both critics and audience alike. It was therefore no surprise that their debut was followed by invitations to festivals around the world, which include major festivals in Scandinavia and Germany (Bergen Music Festival, MDR Musiksommer) as well as other prestigious events in Austria, Switzerland, India and South America. Fellow musicians such as Klezmer legend Giora Feidman have also been quick to voice their admiration for their music. “DANZA” would be a fitting title for the quartet’s current program, as it combines the intense, virtuoso, spirited music of South America and Europe to take listeners on a thrilling musical journey. Unique interpretations of pieces by Astor Piazzolla and the dances of the Paraguayan guitar legend Agustín Barrios mingle with the melodious compositions of the masterly Nicolo Paganini and the complex rhythms of Balkan dances (Dusan Bogdanovic). Works by Thomas Fellow and Reentko also feature, and present concert music, world music and jazz in a contemporary embrace.

These four musicians – each of them a renowned performer in their own right – have set themselves the task of blending the instrument’s concert tradition with the expressive, dynamic sounds of modern music.

Zoran Dukic
is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of our time. His concert performances, as a soloist as well as with an orchestra, leave long-lasting impressions on both audiences and critics. At his “tour de force” competition years he won more competitions than any other guitarist in the world. Presently he leads major classes at a number of European colleges, including the Universities of Barcelona (Spain) and The Hague (Netherlands), where he could establish one of the most successful soloist classes for this instrument worldwide.

Born in Croatia, he is now living in Barcelona – but in fact touring almost constantly through the world, playing concerts and giving masterclasses at every major guitar festival.

Pavel Steidl
is a true legend of the classical guitar. Born in Rakovnik (Czech Republic), he decided to emigrate to Netherlands in 1987, where he lived for several years.

Since he won the 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. His unrivaled ability to create sounds on the guitar make his interpretations a class of its own. But Pavel Steidl also composes himself and his own compositions are often played on his concerts. As a soloist he travelled more than 40 countries all over the world – the USA and Canada as well as China, India and Japan and South and Central America as well as almost every European country.

Thomas Fellow
is a musician with an almost inexhaustible supply of innovative energy. He is a first rate acoustic guitarist, a stunning virtuoso and is considered one of the best musical collaborators in the world. His name is also associated with the development of the pioneering education program "AKUSTISCHE GITARRE (concert music, world music, jazz, pop)" at the “University of Music Dresden” (Germany), the artistic direction of the "European Guitar Award" and for his work as the author of an educational standard work for guitar as an accompanying instrument ("FELLOW GUITAR BOOK"/ Schott Music). Born in Leipzig (Germany), he won several prizes at international competitions for classical guitar and played concerts in India, South America and the USA. His Duo “Friend ‘n Fellow” ranks after more than 1500 concerts worldwide (with legends such as Ray Charles, Al Jarreau and Luther Allison) as one of the leading projects of this kind.

Reentko
is an awarded and highly acclaimed guitarist and composer. His music is a distinctive blend of unorthodox, self-developed percussive playing techniques covering a wide range of styles. He is one of the few guitarists who is as much in demand in the classical world as in the pop and world music scenes. He wrote music for artists of the Cirque du Soleil and the Semperoper Ballet. Currently he is also the guitarist of the Klezmer icon Giora Feidman.

Born in Bad Gandersheim (Germany), he moved to Dresden to study “Acoustic Guitar” under Prof. Thomas Fellow. 2007 saw him become one of Fellow’s fellow lecturer. Performances have so far taken Reentko to various European concert halls and as far away as South Korea, the Arabic Emirates and China.

Booklet for Danza