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Join us for a spectacular season of classical guitar!
Virgile Barthe is regarded as one of the most promising emerging artists on the classical guitar scene. He began his studies at the Toulouse Conservatory under the guidance of Benoît Albert before being admitted, at the age of 17, to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. There, he is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the class of Judicaël Perroy. He has also benefited from the mentorship of distinguished guitarists including Gabriel Bianco and Olivier Chassain.
An award-winning musician, Barthe gained international recognition at an early age, earning major distinctions from the age of 16. In 2024, he was awarded First Prize at the prestigious Maurizio Biasini International Competition, appearing as a soloist with the Sinfonieorchester Basel. The following year, he secured top prizes at both the Koblenz International Guitar Competition (Germany) and the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition (USA), two of the most esteemed competitions in the classical guitar world.
Regularly invited to perform at leading international festivals, Virgile Barthe is acclaimed for the refinement of his musical interpretation and the breadth of his repertoire, which spans from the Baroque period to contemporary works. He also performs in a flute–guitar duo with flutist Lucie Fischer.
Tariq Harb’s journey to distinction in the world of classical guitar has been marked by notable achievements and unwavering dedication. With a string of accolades including top prizes in renowned competitions like the Barrios WorldWideWeb Competition, the Montreal International Classical Guitar Competition and the Tokyo International Classical Guitar Competition, Harb quickly emerged as a leading figure in his generation.
Renowned for his unparalleled command of melody and emotion, Harb’s virtuosity has been lauded by luminaries in the field. TED Global praised his “masterful” performances, while Patrick Roux, Artistic Director of Guitare Alla Grande, extolled his “elegant and charismatic stage presence” and “impeccable playing.” CBC Radio crowned him as their NEXT! guitarist in 2013, heralding him as “Canada’s next classical guitar superstar,” further solidifying his international acclaim.
Harb’s concert engagements span the globe, gracing stages from North America to Asia and everywhere in between. His performances in iconic venues such as the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Jordan, Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan concert hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and Carnegie Hall in New York have captivated audiences. He has also shared his expertise through masterclasses and appearances at prominent guitar festivals and as an adjudicator at music competitions worldwide.
With seven solo albums to his credit and many singles, encompassing a diverse range of repertoire, Harb’s contributions extend beyond performance to include instructional videos and publications aimed at enriching the classical guitar community. As a composer and arranger, his works have garnered acclaim. His suite “Spirit,” recently published by Les Productions d’Oz, showcases his innovative approach to solo guitar composition. Furthermore, his latest endeavour, the duo project “17 Strings” alongside oud virtuoso Abdul-Wahab Kayyali, has been signed to ATMA Classique to release their debut duo album “Reinventions” in January 2027.
A Jordanian-Canadian with Palestinian heritage, Harb’s journey from a career in finance to the world stage of classical guitar is a testament to his unwavering passion and determination. With a master’s degree from McGill University, a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a faculty position at Concordia University, Harb continues to inspire aspiring musicians while enjoying support from industry-leading sponsors. In a world where talent and perseverance converge, Tariq Harb stands as a beacon of excellence, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of musical discovery and artistic expression.
A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Grisha Goryachev is renowned for his extraordinary musical sensitivity and technical virtuosity in both classical and flamenco styles. Grisha is one of very few guitarists in the world who is reviving the tradition of solo flamenco guitar in a concert setting that was practiced by legendary flamenco masters such as Ramón Montoya and Sabicas.
Grigory Goryachev began to play the guitar at the age of six, studying first with his father, Dmitry, an acknowledged master teacher of the instrument. Following his debut at the age of nine, Goryachev enjoyed an extensive career as a child prodigy, performing regularly before large audiences in the most prestigious concert halls of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Minsk, Riga, and other major cities in the then Soviet Union.
He also appeared regularly on Soviet television and radio and was featured in numerous major newspapers and magazines. His participation at the age of 13 in the T.V. marathon, Revival of St. Petersburg, was transmitted live to more than one hundred countries worldwide.
In 1991, Goryachev was awarded second prize in the Danny Kaye International Children’s Awards held in the Hague, Netherlands. Sponsored by UNICEF, this competition featured participants on all instruments from twenty-six countries. Later that same year, Mr. Goryachev was invited to perform at the UN headquarters in New York City. Directly thereafter, he toured Scandinavia and performed by special invitation for the Royalty of Iceland. In 1993, Goryachev was chosen to represent his native city in the Days of St. Petersburg in Jerusalem Festival, and in 1994 at the invitation of Vladimir Spivakov, he performed at the Festival International de Colmar held in memory of Andres Segovia in Colmar, France.
Founded in 2016, Duo Chinoiserie has emerged as an unparalleled musical phenomenon, captivating audiences with their transcendent performances. Spearheaded by the exceptional talents of Chinese guzheng virtuoso Xia Jing and classical guitarist Hu Bin, this duo comprises two highly accomplished musicians who have attained unrivaled acclaim in their professional fields.
Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by Duo Chinoiserie’s awe-inspiring performances. Grammy winning guitarist David Russell praises their work as a “moving and impressive combination” that showcases their mastery, profound musicality, and attractive phrasing of melodies. With their resolute global vision, Duo Chinoiserie magnificently weaves together the elegance of the Chinoiserie style, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western cultures through their extraordinary musical interpretations. Their meticulously curated repertoire, boldly handpicked, explores the enchanting dialogue and complementary textures of their instruments, uniting contrasting musical styles into a cohesive and well-defined whole.
Having graced illustrious international stages, Duo Chinoiserie maintains an active concert schedule, enthralling audiences with their sensational performances. They have been proudly presented by esteemed presenters such as the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, Arizona Arts Live, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, Austin Classical Guitar, Tidewater Classical Guitar, and many others. Their recent highlights include the world premiere of a double concerto at Carnegie Hall and a collaboration with Ballet Tucson on an original ballet production titled Queen Himiko.
In recognition of their immense talent and creative artistry, Duo Chinoiserie has garnered widespread media attention, with mainstream outlets such as the Cleveland Classical, Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Lifestyle Magazine highlighting their captivating endeavors. Their award-winning debut album, “Chinoiserie: Building New Musical Bridges,” released by Navona Records, has received high praise from music critics worldwide, acclaimed as “the most engaging anthology showcasing artistry at the highest level.”
Embracing a boundless passion for innovation and the exploration of new musical forms, Duo Chinoiserie warmly welcomes collaborations that seamlessly integrate chamber music into other creative realms of performing arts. Their visionary spirit continues to reshape the landscape of contemporary music, captivating audiences worldwide with their extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to artistic excellence.
The International Concert Series takes place at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way at Lords Ave & Proctor Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231.
• Fully accessible and climate controlled
• Comfortable seating, ramp access, unobstructed view
• Acoustically engineered with state-of-the-art sound technology
For more information please contact us at info@guitarsarasota.org or call 941-260-3306.
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Guitar Sarasota, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a not for profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation to Guitar Sarasota is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor. Guitar Sarasota meets all requirements specified by the Florida Solicitation of Contributions act. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services at www.freshfromflorida.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the State.
Sign up for our E-newsletter for more about events, artists, updates, and the latest about Guitar Sarasota
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Questions? Comments? We’d love to hear from you
Guitar Sarasota, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a not for profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donation to Guitar Sarasota is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor. Guitar Sarasota meets all requirements specified by the Florida Solicitation of Contributions act. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services at www.freshfromflorida.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the State.
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