Slava Grigoryan

The effortless virtuosity and scintillating musicianship of Slava Grigoryan have been attracting attention since his emergence as a concert soloist at the age of 14, when he gave his formal debut recital. Born in Khazakstan in 1976, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, from the age of five, Slava Grigoryan began guitar studies soon after emigrating to his adopted country, with his professional violinist father as his sole teacher. By the age of eight he was performing publicly, and by 12 he was the guitar soloist with the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra, with whom he toured Japan and Europe over the next few years, receiving many standing ovations. He made his formal debut as a solo guitarist at a recital in S ydney when he was 14.

After becoming the youngest ever Finalist of the Tokyo International Classical Guitar Competition in 1993 at the age of 15, Slava recorded his first solo guitar CD for Sony Music, The Spirit of Spain, which held the number one spot on the classical charts in Australia for six weeks, and has been glowingly reviewed at home and abroad, most notably by the New York Times: "a remarkable recital ... what comes across here is guitar playing of uncommon originality and authority. One cannot but compare Mr Grigoryan's art with that of John Williams. Technique isn't even an issue. Musicality, expressivity and daring are ... a singular talent." New York Times Grigoryan's debut at the Wigmore Hall in London to a capacity audience in April 1996 received widespread acclaim: "Lovely sound ... real clarity of tone and unhurried phrasing ... an imaginative use of colour and dynamic which is most appealing ... a truly dazzling and brilliant performance ... one of the very best talents to have emerged in recent years." Classical Guitar Magazine Other career highlights include headlining a 'Great Guitars' tour with legends Paco Pena and Leo Kottke, and appearances at music festivals in Australia and the UK, including Huntington Festival in New South Wales, Darwin International Guitar Festival, the Guitar Festival of Great Britain at West Dean, Harrogate Festival, Jersey Festival, and the Wirral International Guitar Festival all of which have generated immediate reinvitations. He has also given live performances on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Early in 1997, Slava undertook a major tour of the Australian capitals with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, performing Rodrigo's popular Concerto de Aranjuez, and recorded his second album for Sony, Dance of the Angel featuring works by Piazzolla and other Latin American composers, which was then showcased at the Wigmore Hall. He was invited to give concerts in Austria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Holland, Malta and Macedonia, and in the autumn 1997, he gave a successful debut at New York's Carnegie Hall and his first solo US tour. His schedule now includes concerto dates with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, with the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony, Israel Symphony, Nothern Sinfonia and Orchestra of St John's Smith Square. Recent recital dates include performances at the Wigmore Hall and the Jazz Cafe in London, the Vienna Konzerthaus and many major festivals; and chamber music collaborations include performances with the Endellion and Skampa string quartets. Future recording plans include transcriptions of Russian piano works, and a cross-over album due for release in 1998.