TOM KERSTENS, Guitarra - HOLANDA - INGLATERRA

TOM KERSTENS es una figura importante en el mundo de la guitarra de hoy. Altamente considerado por su versatilidad, tanto con instrumentos modernos como históricos. Tom es un artista polifacético y ha influido como guitarrista, empresario, productor y director artístico en el desarrollo futuro de la guitarra. Ha conseguido, entre otros premios y reconocimientos, la Medalla Conmemorativa de Joaquín Rodrigo.

Desde sus comienzos a nivel internacional en 1987 con gran éxito en Ámsterdam, París y Londres, su reputación no ha tenido límites. Aparece con frecuencia en Southbank Centre y The Sage, y en otras prestigiosas salas como London’s Wigmore Hall y St George’s, Bristol. Ofrece concierto anualmente en las principales ciudades europeas de Roma, Madrid, Berlín, París, (Salle Pleyel), Viena (Konzerthaus) y Ámsterdam (Concertgeboum). También en giras por el Sudeste de Asia y Eurasia con regularidad.

Los CD´s de Tom Kerstens han tenido la distinción inusual de estar seleccionados durante 5 años consecutivos en la Gramophone Good CD Guide. Sus grabaciones para BGS, EMI Y Black Box han sido muy aclamados y están entre los más prestigiosos.

Desde que en 1994 Tom Kerstens fuera director artístico de la International Guitar Foundation and Festivals (IGF) ha aportado una gran pasión por la guitarra y genuino futuro. Los principales festivales de la IGF en Londres, Bath y The Sage Gateshead son quizá los más importantes de Europa y confirman la reputación de Tom Kerstens como un artista inusual. Para los mismos se han compuesto más de 60 nuevas obras para guitarra por compositores de renombre, incluyendo 3 conciertos. Así mismo ha creado uno de los más importantes concursos para jóvenes guitarristas, editando, publicando y grabando todos los trabajos y trayectoria en CD en exclusivo para la IGF.

Las últimas grabaciones de Kerstens incluyen una serie de nuevos trabajos para guitarra grabados para la BGS Records, incluyendo Black Venus - Nueva Música para Guitarra Vol. 1 (2001) y Standing Wave - Nueva Música para Guitarra Vol. 2 (2004), registrando obras de compositores ingleses como Joby Talbot, Graham Fitkin, Howard Skempton, Giles Swayne, Errollyn Wallen, John Metcalfe y otros. Estas ediciones fueron seguidas por ¡Danza! Una colección de antiguas y nuevas miniaturas (2005) y “Goya” (2007), música de Enrique Granados, interpretadas con una guitarra de la época.

También ha grabado Zapateado, Homenaje a Rodrigo, para la BGS, celebrando el Aniversario del nacimiento del compositor, incluyendo nuevas obras dedicadas al maestro. Cecilia Rodrigo le concedió el prestigioso premio Joaquín Rodrigo, medalla conmemorativa por la difusión de la obra del Maestro Rodrigo; distinción solo concedida a un pequeño grupo de renombrados artistas como Alicia de Larrocha, Pepe Romero y la familia Real Española

Sus colaboraciones incluyen importantes orquestas como la City of London Symphony, Northern Symphony, Composers Ensemble and the Duke, Emperor and Brodsky Quartets. Recientemente ha formado su propio ensemble llamado G+ al cual se ha dedicado nueva música para guitarra. El primer Cd de G+, titulado Utopía, será editado a finales de 2007. http://www.igf-events.com

TOM KERSTENS is a major figure in guitar music today.  A highly regarded and versatile performer on modern and period instruments, Tom is one of the most influential champions of the instrument’s cause in his roles as a player, recording artist, entrepreneur, artistic director and inspiration for the future of guitar playing. Among his many awards and tributes is the prestigious Joaquin Rodrigo Commemorative Medal.

Since first emerging on the international concert platform in 1987 with high profile debuts in Amsterdam, Paris and London, Kerstens’ reputation has taken him all over the world, his concerts featuring at many leading festivals and touring worldwide. He has residencies at both the Southbank Centre and The Sage and appears frequently at other prestigious venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall and St George’s, Bristol. He also appears in leading European capitals with annual performances in Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Paris (Salle Pleyel), Vienna (Konzerthaus) and Amsterdam (Concertgebouw). He also tours the US, South East Asia and Eurasia on a regular basis.

Tom Kerstens CDs have had the rare distinction of being selected by the Gramophone Good CD Guide for five consecutive years. His recordings for BGS, EMI and Black Box have achieved great acclaim and are of the highest order: he is, as BBC’s Radio 3 CD Review have said, “in a rather different league”.

Since 1995, Tom Kerstens has led the IGF (International Guitar Foundation) as Artistic Director, bringing with him a passion for the guitar’s heritage and a genuine commitment to its future and its embrace by many more people. IGF’s main showcase festivals in London, Bath and The Sage Gateshead have established themselves as amongst the foremost in Europe and most importantly, have confirmed Kerstens’ reputation as an artist of rare qualities. He has commissioned over 60 new works for guitar from many leading composers including 3 concertos. He has also created major international competitions for young guitarists and has established publishing and recording companies to support the work of IGF.

Kerstens’ latest recording projects include a series of new works for the guitar recorded for for BGS Records, including Black Venus - new music for guitar Vol. 1 (2001) and Standing Wave - new music for guitar Vol. 2 (2004). These recordings feature leading British composers such as Joby Talbot, Graham Fitkin, Howard Skempton, Giles Swayne, Errollyn Wallen, John Metcalfe and others. These releases were followed by !Danza! - the music of dance, a collection of old and newly commissioned dance miniatures (2005) and Goya (2007), the music of Enrique Granados played on a period instrument.

He also released ¡Zapateado! - Homage to Rodrigo (2001) for BGS, celebrating the centenary of the great Spanish composer, including new works written in tribute to him. Cecilia Rodrigo awarded him the prestigious Joaquin Rodrigo commemorative medal for his “outstanding contribution to the dissemination of Rodrigo’s work,” a rare distinction awarded to a select few only, including pianist Alicia de Larrocha, guitarist Pepe Romero and the Spanish Royal Family.

Collaborations have included leading British orchestras and ensembles such as the City of London Sinfonia, the Northern Sinfonia, the Composers Ensemble and the Duke, Emperor and Brodsky Quartets. He has recently formed his own ensemble called G+ which is dedicated to especially commissioned new music for guitar in a varying chamber ensemble context. G+’s debut CD Utopia will be released in late 2007.

http://www.igf-events.com

REVIEWS quotes:

•  “Tom Kerstens is in a rather different league…he can make the guitar sound like a harp, the human voice or even a whole orchestra…his interpretations continue to amaze….” BBC Radio 3, CD Review.

•  “A wonderful performance, even lighter and more volatile than Julian Bream in any of his two readings” Edward Greenfield, Gramophone, EMI Walton CD.

•  “Tom Kerstens proves yet again to be a true poet…the performances are subtly limned, the flash and fire infused with a more delicate intensity.” Gramophone, Rodrigo CD

•  “Attractive repertoire….brilliantly played” Rob Cowan, The Independent. Rodrigo CD

•  “Magnetically compelling, an outstanding recording” Julian Haylock, International Record Review. ‘Black Venus’ CD

•  “A bold attempt to push forward the frontiers of the repertory…the playing is persuasive and has real warmth and depth…the recorded sound is excellent.” Gramophone. ‘Black Venus’ CD.

•  “A truly wonderful performance” Guitar Review, New York. ‘Serenade’ CD.

•  “A wonderful collection” International Record Review, ‘Music of Dance’ CD

•  “A feast of new music” Gramophone, ‘Music of Dance CD

•  “A suberb guitarist”. Time Out