4th International Guitar Competition
Due to the extremely high level of the 32 performances in the first round, the jury decided to admit 9 (instead of 8) candidates to the second/semi-final round. Four candidates will be chosen for the final round.
Semi-finals:
With: Paolo Besson, Staš Čakš, Vera Danilina, Luis Alejandro García, Guilherme Raminhos, Michele Reali, Gleb Samsonov, Kostis Zachariadis et Mark Zemlianskyi
Friday 16th May / 9.45am
Salle polyvalente (Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg)
Finals:
With: TBC
Sunday 18th May / 5pm
Salle de musique de chambre (Philharmonie Luxembourg)
Free entry / without reservation
The semi-finalists
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Paolo Besson (France)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
J.S. Bach:
Suite BWV 997
- Sarabande
- Gigue
- Double
A. José:
Sonata
- I. Allegro moderato
Paolo Besson, dubbed “the ambassador of classical guitar” on the 2021 TV show Prodiges, has won 8 international competitions. These include the Paris competition, the Bearn competition and the youth category of the Petrer competition. These numerous prizes have enabled him to tour Europe, notably Spain, Italy and France.
After training with Jéremy Jouve at the CRR de Paris, he has studied with Tristan Manoukian and Gabriel Bianco at the CNSMDP (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris) since the age of 17.
He has honed his skills with some of the greatest names in the world of classical guitar at workshops, masterclasses and festivals: Marcin Dylla, Anabel Montesinos, Judicaël Perroy, Thibaut Garcia, Gérard Abiton...
In his 2025 album, Paolo Besson seeks to retranscribe the orchestral and colorful aspect of his instrument. It is the richness of his sound palette and his instrumental virtuosity that set his interpretations apart.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Staš Čakš (Slovenia)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
F. Schubert:
Aufenthalt
(arr. J.K. Mertz)
J. Rodrigo:
Invocación y Danza
L. Brouwer:
Sonata n.1
- III. La Toccata de Pasquini
Staš Čakš began playing the guitar at the age of six at the music school in Rogaška Slatina and Maribor, under the guidance of Professor Anja Pirjevec. After completing primary music school, he continued his education at the Conservatory of Music and Ballet Maribor, where he further developed his guitar skills under Professor Vojko Vešligaj. He has earned top awards at various competitions in Slovenia, Italy, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Croatia. Staš has performed several solo recitals and appeared as a soloist with the Feguš Quartet, the guitar orchestra of the Conservatory of Music and Ballet Maribor, and the accordion orchestra of the Academy of Music in Ljubljana. In 2016, he received the Dr. Roman Klasinc Award from the Conservatory of Music and Ballet Maribor.
After completing high school, he decided to continue his studies at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, under the guidance of Professor Tomaž Rajterič, where he graduated with honors. During his studies at the Academy, he won second prize at the national competition "TEMSIG" and performed the Double Concerto for Guitar and Bandoneon by Astor Piazzolla alongside accordionist Rok Fišer and the chamber string orchestra of the Academy of Music. In recent years, he won third prize at the "Ida Presti" competition in Croatia and first prize at "Guitar Days" in Krško, Slovenia. He has also performed concerts at Tonhalle in Zürich, Switzerland, and in Vrsar, Croatia, after winning the Lions Club Poreč Young Guitarist Prize.
Staš regularly performs and competes with guitarist Ana Gorjanc in their duo, AdArt. Together, they have received two third prizes at the Zé Gregorio competition in Lagoa, Portugal, and the Enrico Mercatali competition in Gorizia, Italy, as well as first prize at the Jornadas Internacionales de Guitarra de Elda, Spain. He is currently pursuing further education at the Zürich University of the Arts, studying under professors Anders Miolin and Vojin Kocić.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Vera Danilina (Russia)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
A. José:
Sonata
- III. Pavana triste
- IV. Finale
F. Chopin:
Nocturno 9 n.2
(arr. M. Llobet)
Vera Danilina began studying guitar at the age of five in Penza, Russia, with Olga Odrina. At sixteen, she continued her education with Professor Vladimir Mityakov, graduating from his class in 2024 after eight years of intensive training.
She has performed across Europe and received recognition at several international competitions, including first prizes at the Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition (Italy, 2022), the A. Frauchi International Competition (Russia, 2024) and the Iserlohn International Guitar Competition (Germany, 2022).
In 2023, she released her debut album on Contrastes Records and joined the class of Jérémy Jouve at the Paris Regional Conservatory.
Her playing is appreciated for its musical depth, precision, and sincere stage presence.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Luis Alejandro García (Espagne)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
N. Coste:
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ” Op. 31
M.M. Ponce:
Sonata Romántica
- III. Allegretto vivo (Moment Musical)
J. Turina:
Fantasía Sevillana Op. 29
Luis Alejandro García has been praised by international critics as “an extraordinary musical storyteller” (L'Arena di Verona), and is one of the most awarded Spanish guitarists of his generation, as attested by his more than 40 international prizes, among them the first prize in the Paris International Guitar Competition, the Viseu International Competition, El Primer Palau Prize, the Andrés Segovia Prize of Linares, or the Festival Internazionale di Chitarra Gemona del Friuli.
In continuous growth, his career has led him to make his debut in prestigious venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Teatro Monumental or the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, and his tours have reached several countries in Europe and America, where he’s played hundreds of recitals. He has also performed as a soloist with important orchestras such as the National Radio and Television Orchestra of Spain, the Gran Canaria Philarmonic Orchestra or the OS del Vallès, under conductors such as Karel Mark Chichon, Óliver Díaz, Xavier Puig and Alessandro Palumbo. Luis Alejandro has made numerous recordings, including his latest solo CD, Reflejos (2021), produced by the JSM Guitar Records label and warmly received by the critics: “A reference album for this repertoire and for the very concept of the album [...]. A masterful performance” (Revista Melómano). He is a member of Canary Guitar Quartet and Dalek Dúo, chamber ensembles with which he explores different musical scenarios through the guitar and other instruments and who have been awarded the prestigious Melómano de Oro for their recent recordings.
His upcoming engagements include tours in different parts of Spain, Germany, France, the United States, Mexico and Argentina. He graduated in Guitar from the CSMC with honours, as well as in Musicology with the Extraordinary End of Degree Award. He has received lessons with various internationally renowned teachers such as Leo Brouwer, David Russell, Zoran Dukic, Pedro Mateo and Carlo Marchione. In 2017 he completed his master's degree with honours at the Esmuc in Barcelona, under the tutelage of Àlex Garrobé.
Luis Alejandro García plays with Vicente Carrillo guitars and is a sponsored artist by Knobloch Strings.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Guilherme Raminhos (Portugal)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
H.W. Henze:
Royal Winter Music
First Sonata on Shakespearean characters
- I. Gloucester
M. Schley:
Etude VII "Befiehl du deine Wege"
F. Sor:
Grand Sonata Op. 22
- I. Allegro
E. Carter:
Shard
Portuguese guitarist Guilherme Raminhos, particularly fascinated by the potential of his instrument in the world of contemporary music, has recently participated in several projects with experienced musicians such as the renowned Essemble Recherche or Chaos Cadence, as well as collaborating with younger composers to premiere new works.
In terms of his long learning path, he was admitted to the Maastricht Conservatory in 2017, where he completed his bachelor's degree in the class of the renowned professor Carlo Marchione.
In addition to various master classes with other famous figures of the guitarist world, he completed his postgraduate studies with a profile in New Music at the German Musikhochschule Lübeck with the highest distinction in 2024 under the direction of Professor Otto Tolonen.
Since October 2024, he has been working on his qualifications with the highest musical prestige studies in Germany, where he began his concert exam at the Franz Lizst Musikhochschule with Professor Ricardo Gallén.
Worth mentioning as proof of his highly qualified art, Guilherme has won numerous prizes at international guitar competitions since 2013, not only in solo, such as recently the prestigious Schweinfurt International Guitar Competition, but also in chamber music categories.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Michele Reali (Italia)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco:
Sonata "Omaggio a Boccherini"
- I. Allegro con spirito
- II. Andantino, quasi Canzone
L. Brouwer:
La Gran Sarabanda
Michele Reali, who currently lives and works in Amsterdam, started his guitar studies at eight with a private flamenco teacher, and approached classical guitar for the first time only at fourteen, studying the instrument in high school with Gaetano Troccoli. He then proceeded with his Bachelor's degree in Adria's conservatory for two years, and for one year in Groningen's conservatory, studying with Giulio Tampalini and Kristina Vårlid respectively. Later on, he moved to the Dutch capital to obtain his Master's degree (in June 2024) studying with Gabriel Bianco at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Michele is currently member of a guitar duo (Duo Encordé) and a guitar-flute duo (Aulos Duo), regularly giving concerts in The Netherlands. He produces original arrangements and editions, both for his solo repertoire and his ensembles, striving to explore new possibilities with the instrument, and rediscover the existing repertoire under fresh lens.
As a soloist, he gives recitals in Italy and The Netherlands, and during his Master's he started participating in international competitions, earning already prizes such as the 2nd Prize at the Dutch Guitar Foundation Competition 2025, the 4th Prize at the Kutna Hora Guitar Festival 2024 and finalist at the Festival de Guitare de Paris 2024.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Gleb Samsonov (Russia)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
J. Rodrigo:
Sonata “Giocosa”
- I. Allegro moderato
- II. Andante moderato
- III. Allegro
S. Assad:
Aquarelle
- II. Valseana
- III. Preludio e Toccatina
At the age of 4 started practicing music, since the age of 6 has been playing guitar.
Graduated from the Ural Special Music School at the Ural State Conservatory named after Mussorgsky (professor – Stanislav Nesterov).
Student of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow (professor – Dmitry Murin).
Participated in master classes at Aniello Desiderio, Jose Maria Gallardo del Rey, Pablo Garibay, Ekachai Jearakul, Artem Dervoyed, Rovshan Mamedkuliev, Anton Baranov.
Regular participant of master classes of soloists of the Moscow International Festival “Guitar Virtuosi” in the Moscow Philharmonic.
Winner and prize-winner of the:
Russian competition "Young talents of Russia" (Moscow)
XXII. Youth Delphic Games of Russia (Saratov)
V. Russian Gnessin Guitar Competition (Moscow)
XIV. International competition-festival "Tabula Rasa" (Moscow)
V. International competition-festival “Time of Guitar”(Moscow)
Fellow of the Presidential Grants Foundation.
Guest artist of the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Kostis Zachariadis (Grèce)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
R.R. Bennett:
Impromptus
M.M. Ponce:
Sonata Romántica
- III. Allegretto vivo (Moment Musical)
J. Duphly:
La Pothoüin
(arr. F. Koutsothodoros)
Kostis Zachariadis began studying classical guitar at age 12 at the New Conservatory of Thessaloniki with Prof. Fotis Koutsothodoros. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln under Prof. Gerhard Reichenbach, where he is currently pursuing his Master's.
He has received masterclasses from renowned artists such as Oscar Ghiglia, Hubert Käppel, Atanas Ourkouzounov, and Andrea De Vitis, and has won several prizes including 1st Prize at the Rhode Island Guitar Competition, the Lions Music Prize, the Concordia Music Prize, and awards at the Hermoupolis, Jüchen, and NRW guitar festivals.
He has appeared in numerous concerts across Europe, including a chamber performance at the Wuppertal Opera and a solo recital at the Remscheid Guitar Festival. In 2022, he made his orchestral debut with the Greek Youth Camerata, performing Mauro Giuliani's Concerto No. 1 in A major in Piraeus.
In 2024, his chamber ensemble "Duo Fellini" won 1st Prize at the Isenbügel Chamber Music Competition, and he toured North Rhine-Westphalia with a series of solo concerts. In October 2025, he will embark on a solo concert tour with performances in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and Costa Rica.
Nino D'Amico (Italy)
PROGRAM
Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944)
Prélude en do mineur
Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Fantaisie Dramatique “Le Départ”, Op.31
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
Sonata Op.61 (III. Allegro Vivo)
Leo Brouwer (*1939)
La Gran Sarabanda
Mark Zemlianskyi (Ukraine)
PROGRAMME SEMI-FINAL ROUND
M. Ponce:
Sonata Romántica
- I. Allegro non troppo, semplice
- III. Allegretto vivo (Moment Musical)
J.K. Mertz:
Fantasie Hongroise Op. 65 n.1
Mark Zemlianskyi began playing the guitar at the age of seven. From 2016 to 2022, he studied under Professor Olena Drozdova at the R. Glier Music Academy in Kyiv, specializing in guitar performance, and started his bachelor's studies in 2020. Due to the war, he interrupted his studies, and in March 2022, he was accepted as an intern at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. In the academic year 2022-2023, he continued his bachelor's studies under MgA. Ozren Mutak, Ph.D., MgA. Anna Hronová, Ph.D., and MgA. Petr Saidl.
He has won prizes at numerous national and international competitions, including the 2nd prize at the MIGC-2025 Mantovani International Guitar Competition in Follonica-Italy (March 2025), finalist of one of the largest and most challenging guitar competitions, the XIX. Silesian Guitar Autumn, in Tychy-Poland (November 2024, the 3rd prize and audience award at the International Biennial Guitar Performance Competition in Kutná Hora 2024, a Kohno Professional J guitar from Japan and a direct qualification for the finals of the Bach Competition Tokyo at the Competition in Brno-Czech Republic (July 2023), the 1st prize at the 12th World Open Music Competition (2021), the 1st prize at the Sigitas Slinskas International Guitar Competition in Vilnius-Lithuania (2019) and the Grand Prix at the International Guitar Competition in Katowice-Poland (2019).