Marcin Dylla is considered by music critics and music lovers alike as one of the most outstanding classical guitar players. He owes this position, among others, to unparalleled number of awards at musical competitions. In 1996-2007 19 times he won the first prize at the most prestigious international guitar contests taking place in Europe and in the USA.
Marcin Dylla’s fame in the artistic life of Europe, is confirmed by his participation in many musical festivals, conducting master classes, cooperation with outstanding musicians and orchestras, as well as giving many recitals in prestigious, world concert halls, such as Konzerthaus – Vienna, Musikverein – Vienna, Auditorio Nacional – Madrid, Philharmonic – St. Petersburg, Kleinhans Music Hall – Buffalo N.Y His current CD featuring works by Rodrigo, Tansman, Maw and Ponce has reached the NAXOS ‘Top 10 Bestselling Albums’ in September 2008.
Dale Kavanagh is acclaimed as one of the guitar world´s most gifted interpreters. Between 1986 and 1988 Ms. Kavanagh was a top prize-winner in Spain’s “Segovia Competition,” Italy’s “Gargnano Competition,” Switzerland’s “Neuchatel Competition,” and First and Special Prize winner in Finland’s “Scandinavian International Guitar Competition.” Dale studied at Acadia University, Dalhousie University, the University of Toronto, and the Banff Center in Canada, then completed her graduate studies with the Solisten Diplom at the Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel with Oscar Ghiglia, in Switzerland.
Dale Kavanagh is Professor of Guitar at the Musikhochschule in Detmold, Germany. She held the appointment of “Musician in Residence” at Acadia University between 2003-2010, and is currently on Faculty at the “Koblenz International Guitar Academy.”
Thomas Kirchhoff was born in Germnay and studied at the Musikhochschule in Dortmund and then privately in London with British virtuoso David Russell from 1986 to 1987. Since 1986 he has given more than 800 concerts in over 30 countries as part of the Amadeus Guitar Duo and in the Ensemble Duo “Ars Vivendi” with German flautist Doris Dietz). He has produced eleven highly acclaimed CD’s.
After having established one of the biggest and most prestigious guitar festivals in the world in Iserlohn/Germany, Thomas Kirchhoff organised the Acadia Classical Guitar Festival in Wolfville, NS, Canada.
Antonio Fruscella studied at the “Lorenzo Perosi” Conservatory of music in Italy and the National School of Music of Aubervilliers-La Courneuve, in Paris, attending the courses of the Maestro Alberto Ponce, achieving the guitar and chamber music diploma with distinction. Antonio also attended several master classes by teachers such as D. Russel, L. Zea, G. Listes, and A. Valente. He won many prizes in national competitions (Barletta, Mottola, Recanati, Caramanico, Ortona, Pescara, Savona) and international competitions (first prize at the “Paris guitar duo contest, fourth prize at Montélimar guitar duo contest and second prize at the “Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris A. Cortot” in the “J. Rodrigo” contest). He attended, as a scholarship holder, the High Specialization Course at Villecroze Academy (France) and the International Master class in Mendrisio (Switzerland), both given by Maestro Alberto Ponce. In 2001, on the occasion of the XIIIth international specialization course given by Maestro A. Ponce in Switzerland, he received the “Subinates” prize as best student. In October 2002 he received a scholarship from the “Ecole Normale de musique A. Cortot” in Paris where in June 2003 he obtained the Superior Musical Performance Diploma with Maestro Alberto Ponce.
Allan Neave is the senior lecturer in guitar at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama and widely regarded as one of Europe’s foremost educators and promoters of the instrument. He has broadcast widely both in the UK and abroad, including Radio 3 and 4 broadcasts at the Edinburgh International Festival, performances of Schoenberg’s Serenade with the Hebrides Contemporary Music Ensemble for BBC Radio 3, the isle is full of noises on KFZAZ Radio USA, RadioSodre Uruguay and BBC Radio 3. He also gave the world’s 1st live Internet guitar concert broadcast in 1997.He has worked with many influential musicians, including Nikita Koshkin, Edward McGuire, Hans Werner Henze, Gordon McPherson and Stephen Dodgson, many of whose works he has premiered.
Matthew McAllister is amongst Europes’ finest young guitarists. Since graduating with honours from RSAMD in 2003 he has been delighting audiences across the world with his thoughtful performances and effortless presentation. In addition to having toured extensively throughout North & South America, Europe and Asia both as soloist and chamber musician, Matthew has also produced an extensive discography with Natural Studio Records. Matthew’s live concert performances alongside his recordings with Natural Studio Records have appeared on British, Spanish, Malaysian, Turkish, Peruvian & Chilean TV and have featured on numerous radio broadcasts worldwide. Matthew holds the post of Classical Guitar Lecturer T the Music Faculty of the Unversity of St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland and also Lecturer in Guitar at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Peter Stewart is one of Scotland’s most highly respected forces in Classical Guitar. Studies with Carlos Bonell and John W. Duarte provided the bedrock for a lifelong career with the Classical Guitar. From 1990 Peter performed in the guitar ensemble Duo Stewart. Duo Stewart edited a series of works, written by John Duarte, for Mel Bay and also directed the Oatridge International Guitar Festival. Currently Peter lectures in guitar at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama and the Aberdeen College of Music and Performing Arts. Peter Stewart is the Director of the CGR Gutiar Orchestra.
Aisling Agnew was born and raised in Belfast. She regularly performs around the UK and Ireland and has appeared in concert across Europe and America. Aisling’s performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio, RTE Lyric FM and Resonance FM and include many high profile concerts such as a Wigmore Hall chamber music recital. As concerto soloist she has appeared with various orchestras including the Ulster Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. She recently released her acclaimed debut album Recital with Natural Studio Records. Aisling studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with Richard Blake and David Nicholson where she followed masterclasses with players such as Jacques Zoon, Robert Dick, Wissam Boustany and Wilbert Hazelzet. In her third year she won a scholarship to the Lake Placid Institute for Arts in New York and in her final year she was selected to perform the Penderecki Concerto with the RSNO at the Henry Wood Hall in Glasgow; the first performance of this work given in Scotland. Aisling also holds a Masters degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where her studies were generously funded by awards from the Belfast Classical Music Bursaries and the BELB. Aisling has a keen interest in performing new music and working with composers. She has premièred works written specifically for her by Douglas Whates, Matt Rogers, Greg Caffrey and David Flynn and has enjoyed working with other composers such as Edward McGuire and David Fennessy.
Robert Irvine was born in Glasgow, and at the age of 16 was awarded a scholarship to the Royal College of Music where he studied with Christopher Bunting and Amaryllis Fleming. Whilst there he won most of the major prizes in chamber music and solo playing.
On leaving the Royal College, he went on to further studies with William Pleeth and Pierre Fournier before joining the Philharmonia as sub principal cello. He also worked extensively at Aldeburgh, forming the Brindisi String Quartet and working closely with Sir Peter Pears as continuo cellist and as principal cellist of the Britten Pears Orchestra. At this time he toured much of Europe with the Brindisi Quartet, making numerous festival appearances and broadcasts.
He left the Philharmonia in 1988 to take up the position of principal cello with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, touring all over the world. In 1990, he returned to Scotland to take up the post of principal cellist with Scottish Opera, and with Sally Beamish and James MacMillan founded the Chamber Group of Scotland, performing and broadcasting a wide range of music both chamber and solo.
He has recorded several CDs, including recordings of Rachmaninov and Shostakovich Cello sonatas, as well as the complete cello works of Sally Beamish for the Swedish label BIS, which received high critical acclaim, including CD of the month in the Gramophone magazine.
At present, Robert is a senior tutor of Cello and Chamber Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotalnd. He is also the artistic co-director of the Red Note ensemble, a Glasgow based contemporary music ensemble.
Telephone: +44(0)7910 471 486
Email: info@cgretreat.com
The Isle of Cumbrae is easily reached from Largs by making a short 10-minute ferry trip.
There are excellent transport connections to Largs from Glasgow and its environs. Largs is around an hour by road, rail, car or bus from Glasgow city centre, Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick airports.
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