Eventi e Manifestazioni Incontri chitarristici di Gargnano 2019 . The History

A bit of history…
Since 1973 Gargnano has been hosting one of the most prestigious music events dedicated to the guitar: the 'Incontri Chitarristici. This event, held during the last week of August and the beginning of September, offers concerts, master classes of the highest level plus an International Competition, since 1976. The idea took origin from three illustrious guitarists, direct pupils of the great Andrés Segovia: Ruggero Chiesa, guitarist and intelligent transcriber, instructor in the Conservatory of Milan and in important master classes in Italy and abroad, very well known for his editions (he has published some among the most important works of the guitar's Baroque and Renaissance repertoire), in Gargnano he nurtured the interpretation of lute tablature.
In 1991 his role in Gargnano's 'Incontri' was inherited by his former pupil Massimo Lonardi, excellent lutenist with a remarkable performing, recording and teaching experience. M. Lonardi teaches at the Conservatory of Pavia and the School for Ancient Music of Venice. Besides teaching tablature reading he adds a precious instruction in technical and stylistic interpretation of Baroque and Renaissance music on the lute and its related instruments.
Gianluigi Fia dedicated himself to teaching after a successful start as a concert guitarist, he was for a long time a dedicate and generous instructor in the Conservatory of Brescia. Deceased in 2003, he had been Artistic Director since the start of the 'Encounters'. Since 2003, Prof. Alessandro Calzoni, former pupil and personal friend of Gianluigi Fia, has been successfully leading the Artistic Direction.
Oscar Ghiglia, world wide concert artist has published numerous recordings and transcriptions. He was A.Segovia's assistant during A.S.'s Berkeley's master class, he taught in the Basel Musik-Akademie from 1983 till 2004 and is often a jury member in international competitions and teacher in master classes all over the world. In 1969 he founded the Guitar Dept of the Aspen Music Festival, which he headed till 1986 and keeps visiting such schools as the Juilliard of New York, Northwestern University of Chicago, the Cincinnati Mus. Conservatory… Since 1976 he holds the teaching position at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana of Siena. In Gargnano he teaches young talents coming from the whole guitar world.
Such are the origins of an event rating among those which contributed the most, in Italy and internationally, to the cause of the guitar and its repertoire.
This was the origin an event which gave proof, in the years, of being able to contribute in a relevant measure to the cause of the classical guitar and it's appreciation throughout the world. The performance classes offered there have been attended by young players of all nations: Spain, France, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Germany, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, England, Ireland… And from as far as USA, Japan, Korea, South America… Many of these proceed to the contest stage.
Others come with the main purpose of participating in the competition and be judged by the jury, presided by Oscar Ghiglia, who summons famous musicians, such as: Alberto Ponce, Gabriel Estarellas, Betho Davezac, Alirio Diaz, José Tomà s, Camillo Togni, Mario Conter, Alvaro Company, Sonja Prunnbauer, Giancarlo Facchinetti.
The prize winners, in limited number - due to the exceptional ability required of the participants have succeeded brilliantly in their careers as concert artists or teachers. The public present in the concerts held within the festival have witnessed the presence of violinist Dora Schwartzberg, of singers, the Orchestra Filarmonica di Padova, la Gasparo da Salò; ensembles such as: the Quartetto d'archi di Venezia, The International Guitar Quartet, plus a number of guitar soloists of world such as Eliot Fisk, Stefano Grondona ed molti altri, who had the sheer pleasure of performing in front of an informed and appreciating public, among some of the most suggestive surroundings created by nature.
Reflecting a noble aim, the 'Incontri Chitarristici di Gargnano', were born for the sake of human and artistic communication with the young of the whole world, as a totally disinterested pursuit, as any cultural event should be.