David Russell

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.

In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made “adopted son” of Es Migjorn, the town of Menorca where he grew up.

During his studies at the Royal Academy, Mr. Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize and received a scholarship from the Ralph Vaughan William Trust. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition, the José Ramirez Competition and Spain’s prestigious Francisco Tarrega Competition.

Composers Guido Santórsola, Jorge Morel, Francis Kleynjans, Carlo Domeniconi or Sergio Assad, amongst others, have dedicated works to him.

Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of David Russell’s musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance of even the most demanding pieces. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure.

David Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Amsterdam. He is also invited regularly to play in many music festivals.

His discography include transcriptions of Bach, Haendel and Scarlatti on GHA Records, Nineteenth Century Music also on GHA Records and the complete works by Franscico Tarrega, on Opera Tres.

Since 1995 David Russell has an exclusive contract with TELARC International, with whom he has recorded a CD featuring the music of Paraguayan guitarist-composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré, another with the music of Spanish composer Federico Moreno Torroba, a recording including the three Rodrigo concertos for solo guitar (Concierto de Aranjuez, Fantasía para un Gentilhombre and Concierto para una Fiesta), “Celtic Music for Guitar”, “Music by Giuliani”, “Baroque Music”, “Spanish Favorites” and “David Russell plays Bach”.

Upon hearing David Russell’s playing in London, Andrés Segovia wrote: “My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique”.

PRESS

Gendai Guitar n. 482, 2005

Guitare Classique n° 20 – 2004

Acoustic Guitar, January 2004

Audio Clásica, 2004

Classical Guitar Magazine – October 2003

Gitarre Aktuell III/03

Swiat Gitary, 2002

Chitarre Classica, n. 18, 2001

Seicorde, n.69, 2001

Classical Guitar – April 1998

Guitart – luglio/settembre 1998

Guitarreando, n. 1, 1998

Gendai Guitar, n. 338, 1993

Seicorde – Aprile/giugno 1992

Ocho Sonoro – nº 2

Gitarre & Laute 05/88

Les cahiers de la guitare – 2ème trimestre 1987

Gitaarview, n. 1, 1985

Classical Guitar, July, 1985

Classical Guitar, Nov/Dec, 1982

Guitar, November, 1978

Ritmo, n. 474, 1977

COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY

SOMETHING UNIQUE
(Aguado, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Haug, Sojo)
Overture Records, Canada
1979. LP

DAVID RUSSELL PLAYS ANTONIO LAURO
Guitar Master Records, England
1980, GMR 1001. LP

GUITARDUETS
(Sor, Kaufman)
(with Raphaella Smits)
Sabam, Belgium
1983. PL 0008. LP

CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO DUETS
(with Raphaella Smits and Jos van Immerseel)
Academix, Belgium
1985. AX 850218. LP

DAVID RUSSELL PLAYS ANTONIO LAURO
Guitar Master Records, England
1987, GMR. CD

LEYENDA
1987. GHA 126.002

PASSACAILLE
1989. GHA 126.006

GIULIANI & RODRIGO CONCERTI
(with Warsaw Sinfonia)
Polskjie Nagrania Muza, Poland
1990. CK 760. LP

FRANCISCO TARREGA INTEGRAL DE GUITARRA
Opera Tres, Spain
1991. CDS 1003/4. Double CD

MUSIC OF BARRIOS
Telarc International, USA
1994. CD-80373

MUSIC OF TORROBA
Telarc International, USA
1996. CD-80451

RODRIGO
(Concierto De Aranjuez, Fantasía para un Gentilhombre, Concierto para una Fiesta)
David Russell, guitar. Erich Kunzel, conductor. Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.
Telarc International, USA
1997. CD-80459