Competition 2016

He was born in Turin (Italy) in 1990. He studied with Stefano Grondona at the Music Conservatory in Vicenza where he obtained his diploma with the highest mark in 2008. Afterwards, he studied with Frederic Zigante with whom he obtained the pedagogical diploma at the Music Conservatory in Turin and the concert diploma at the Music Conservatory in Alessandria with the highest mark.

He completed his studies with Laura Mondiello and Oscar Ghiglia, getting scholarships and prizes such as the Diploma di Merito at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. He also attended masterclasses with Paul Galbraith, Carles Trepat, Jukka Savijoki, Arturo Tallini, Lorenzo Micheli, etc.

He was awarded at several competitions: 1st prize at the XVII National competition “Giulio Rospigliosi 2011” in Lamporecchio (category up to 21 years), 1st prize at the I International Compeitition “Premio Accademia 2011” in Rome (category up to 24 years), 1st prize at the VII International Competition of musical performance "Città di Asti " (2012), 1st prize at the VII National Competition “Rotary for the music” in Vercelli (2012), winner of the II edition at the Concert seasons for young musicians” organized by Cristiano Porqueddu in Nuoro (2012), 3rd prize at the VI International Competition for classical guitar “Ruggero Chiesa-città di Camogli” (2012), 2nd prize at the 3rd International Competition for classical guitar «Stefano Strata» Città Di Pisa, 1st prize at the XV International Guitar Competition “Niccolò Paganini” in Parma (2013), winner of the “Campus Prize Campus 2014 - Campus festival 2014” and of the “Campus Prize 2015-Campus Festival 2015” in Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza), 2nd prize and audience prize at the XV International Competition “Comarca el condado” 2015 (Jaen-Spagna), 4th prize at the “6° Concurso Internacional De Guitarra De Sevilla.”(2015).

He has been often invited to participate to the events of the International Guitar Convention in Alessandria, he has plaid concerts in Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and several festivals and towns in Italy as soloist and in chamber music ensembles. Since 2013 he has been member of the guitar ensemble “Supernova” conducted by Arturo Tallini. He has received a scholarship by the Associazione “De Sono” in Turin. At present, he is attending the Master level II at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano with Lorenzo Micheli.

Since 2012 he has been teaching as assistant at the Music Conservatory in Alessandria.
 

He is an Italian guitarist (Padua, 29 April 1995). He has been in London since 2014 to improve his skills at the Royal Academy of Music in Michael Lewin's class. On his entrance to the prestigious London Academy, and after an audition with Julian Bream, he received the Julian Bream Trust Scholarship award (also confirmed by the same Maestro for the following academic years). He completed his musical training studies in Italy: was enrolled at the Arrigo Pedrollo Conservatory in Stefano Grondona’s class. He graduated at the age of 18 with the highest honours. He also attended Composition Courses at the same higher musical education Institute. Over the years he has taken part in various Masterclasses and advanced courses with important Maestros (Giuseppe Carrer, Paul Galbraith, Oscar Ghiglia, Laura Mondiello, David Russell, Carles Trepat, Fabio Zanon) which gave him the opportunity to compose a composite framework of reference and comparison in interpretive and playing practices. In particular he obtained scholarships and diplomas of merit in a number of consecutive years in Laura Mondiello's guitar Masterclasses in Ponte a Valtellina (2009, 2010, 2011) and in Oscar Ghiglia's guitar Masterclasses and chamber music at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena (2013 and 2015).

Taking part in competitions and playing solo concerts, in chamber music ensembles and with orchestras, have been a real source of experience and also of professional and educational growth. Right from when he was very young, he took part in guitar competitions in his own category and in those above him, always obtaining excellent results and, on many occasions, winning. Of particular note was his win, at only 17 years old, of the second prize (no first prize assigned) and of the Audience Award at the Concorso Internazionale di chitarra [International guitar competition] “Ruggero Chiesa” in Camogli. The judge Fabio Zanon wrote: “(...) Vou prestar atenção no Giacomo Susani, un rapaz de apenas 17 anos que tocou com mais maturidade que a maioria dos outros concorrentes” (in Resultado do concourso R. Chiesa na Italia, www.violao.org , 23 September 2012). In 2016 he has been selected from the IGF Young Artist Platform Scheme (London). The solo concerts which he performed in, both in Italy and abroad, have always seen an increasingly involved, concentrated public during the performance, and enthusiastic and convinced at the end. We should mention, amongst the solo performances, the Debut concert at the 15th International “Michele Pittaluga” Guitar Competition at 15 years old, the concerts at the Casa Luthier Guitarras in Barcelona and at the Master’s Lodge of St. John College in Cambridge, the Solo concert at the”Mareterra Festival” in Martano (Lecce) and the Solo Concert at the Sala dei Giganti in Padua; amongst the chamber music experiences, the Concert Solo & Duo for two guitars with Pietro Locatto (Casa Console, Poschiavo –CH) and his own composition, Quintet for Guitar and Strings (Royal Academy of Music, the Double Concerto for guitar, bandoneon and string orchestra by Astor Piazzolla, performed in various Italian theatres (2012), the Concerto n.1 op. 99 in D major for guitar and orchestra by Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco (2011) and the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo (2016).

Giacomo has also conducted important research with the instrument in the field of transcription (George F. Handel, Fuga semplice in D major; Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky, June, from Les Saisons; Pierre Rode, Caprice n. 4, from the 24 Caprices, amongst others) and composition (Quintet for Guitar and Strings, and Songs of Elegance and Wisdom, for Guitar and voice). Composition is studied not only in reference to the guitar but also as an art in itself and, in particular, applied to film music. In February 2015 the recording studio Stradivarius brought out his first solo CD “Giacomo Susani plays Petrassi, Bach, Tansman, Weiss”, which obtained excellent reviews from the public and critics (“BBC Music”, “Gendai Guitar”, “Il Fronimo”, “Amadeus” among the others).

She began learning the guitar at the age of 4 with her mother Hana Švendová. Later she studied at the Elementary Art School in Choceň with Petra Poláčková and the Elementary Art School in Ústí nad Orlicí with Jiří Tomášek. Since 2011 she has been studying with Petr Saidl at the conservatory in Pardubice. Apart of receiving many prizes at guitar competitions, she is also a holder of some special awards: for example the title „Young Talent“ awarded by the hetman of the district of Pardubice, an award given by the Czech Television Competition „Zlatý Oříšek“ and the title „Young Guitarist of the Year“. In 2013 she performed the Guitar Concerto No. 1 by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the South Bohemian Philharmonic in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague. As well as the guitar, Hedvika also plays the flute, violin and piano.

In 2013 she won first prize for flute playing at the Czech conservatory competition. Since 2014 she is in D'Addario family. She has given concerts at some of the important guitar festivals : Mikulov, Křivoklát, Forum Gitarre Wien (Austria), Lanckorona (Poland), Tychy (Poland), Žory (Poland), Rust (Austria), Chengdu (China),  Ligita (Lichtenstein), Miami (USA), Bratislava (Slovakia), Balaton (Hungary)   Venezuela and others. Now she plays the 8strings guitar made by Petr Matoušek.

Starting in 2005, she was awarded several prizes: Prague Junior Note (CZ), Guitarreando, Hradec Králové, Zruč nad Sázavou (CZ), PRAGuitarra Clássica (CZ), International Competition Guitartalent, Brno (CZ), National Music School Guitar Competition, Nové Strašecí (CZ), nternational Biennal Guitar Competition, Kutná Hora (CZ), International Guitar Festival, Rust (Austria), International Guitar Competition, Dolný Kubín (Slovakia), Forum Gitarre Wien (Austria), Concertino Praga (CZ), Anna Amalia-Gitarrenwettbewerb Weimar (Germany), International Guitar Competition, Dolný Kubín (Slovakia), International Biennal Guitar Competition, Kutná Hora (CZ), International Guitar Festival, Žory (Poland), Forum Gitarre Wien (Austria), Budapest International Competition (Hungary), International Guitar Festival, Rust (Austria), Anna Amalia-Gitarrenwettbewerb Weimar (Germany), Forum Gitarre Wien (Austria)

Gianni Bergamo was born in Milan, Italy in 1941, attended primary school in Italy and Liceo in Switzerland. After a degree in Economy (1964) at the Catholic University of Milan, he dedicated himself to the study of music with Tissoni (harmony and composition), D. Maffeis (organ) and N. Sanzogno (orchestra conducting) at the Conservatory of Bergamo, Italy.
From 1964 to 1994 has been a businessman with his own import-export, real estate and finance companies, though at the same time he has remained close to music and to its world.
In 1990 he created the Cultural Association “Gli Amici Cantori”, first as a chorus alone, then later accompanied by an orchestra. He has given many concerts in Italy with them, preferring the symphonic-sacred repertoire (masses, oratories, passions, etc.). At present, he lives in Santiago del Chile.

Darko Petrinjak, born in Zagreb in Croatia, graduated in double-bass at the Zagreb Music Academy (class of Josip Novosel), and in guitar (Hector Quine) and lute (Robert Spencer) at the Royal Academy of Music in London. As a double-bass player he has given solo recitals, for several seasons played and toured with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and has been involved in various chamber music groups. As a lutenist he appeared in solo recitals, with singers, and with “The Elizabethan Consort”.

Most of his time, however, Darko Petrinjak devotes to the guitar, his main instrument. He has given solo guitar concerts in many European countries and has made many LP-s and CD-s – solo, in duos with violin, cello, flute and voice, and with string quartet. He has adjudicated at international guitar competitions and has given master-classes at guitar festivals. He has written many arrangements involving guitar, majority of which were recorded on discs or for the Croatian Radio. Some of the leading Croatian composers have written works for him, including four concertos, most of which he has recorded. He is the editor of several guitar editions including the collected songs with guitar accompaniment by the 19th century Croatian guitarist-composer Ivan Padovec.
In 1984, together with István Römer and Goran Listeš, he founded the Zagreb Guitar Trio. This ensemble, in which he plays both guitar and double-bass, has become the important part of his career. The Trio has recorded extensively, played in numerous European countries and inspired many composers to write for it.

Darko Petrinjak was for three years a Visiting Teacher at the Birmingham School of Music in England, and since 1982 has been teaching at the Academy of Music in Zagreb.
In 1990 Darko Petrinjak was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
In his home country he was awarded several awards and honours.
 

Jukka Savijoki, a young Finnish artist of the kind able to increase respect for this often maligned instrument. He was a musician to his fingertips, serious and dedicated with an uncommonly welldisciplined technique as base". (The Times 21.12.1977 Joan Chissel).

Since his debut at the Wigmore Hall, London in 1977, Jukka Savijoki has broadened his career as a solo guitarist through international concerts and several recordings. The London concert has been followed by others at the Wigmore Hall and at English festivals including the Harrogate, King's Lynn and Cheltenham Festivals, where with Ian Partridge he per-formed Franz Schubert's "Die Schöne Müllerin". He has also performed all over Europe, Japan and North and South America.

Jukka Savijoki has commissioned new works for guitar from leading composers and he also specializes in 19th century solo and ensemble music using a period instrument.

The range of his repertoire of 20th century and classic music is reflected in his records and CD's. Jukka Savijoki's "Baroque Suites for guitar" was voted "The best of the Month" by the magazine "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". He has recorded the complete music for flute and guitar by Mauro Giuliani on three CD-discs with the flautist Mikael Helasvuo. Other recordings include one CD with new Scandinavian ensemble works, one CD with music by Piazzolla and one CD with music by Lennox Berkeley and Benjamin Britten with the English tenor Ian Partridge. Further recordings include one CD dedicated to the music of the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu and another to the music of the Viennese early 19th century composer Anton Diabelli. The latest release is a 2 CD set of med on original instruments with the Norwegian guitarits Erik Stenstadvold.

Jukka Savijoki has collaborated with the flute player Mikael Helasvuo. The Duo celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2005. Other chamber music activities have led to participations with the soprano Anne Lise Berntsen, the Medici String Quartet, The English String Quartet, the Chameleon Ensemble, the tenor Ian Partridge, Norwegian guitarist Erik Stenstadvold, the contemporary music group "Cluster" and with many top Finnish musicians. He has also performed with symphony orchestras including the most distinquished Finnish orchestras and "Orchestra London", Canada. Several Finnish and foreign composers have composed for him or for ensembles in which he plays. These include Paavo Heininen, Erik Bergman, Magnus Lindberg, Jarmo Sermilä, Olli Koskelin, Hermann Rechberger, Jouni Kaipainen, Kalevi Aho, Usko Meriläinen, Olli Kortekangas, Eero Hämeeniemi, Leif Segerstam, Tapio Tuomela, Pekka Jalkanen, Atli Heimir Sveinsson, Miklos Maros and Hans Abrahamsen.

Activities in contemporary music have included first performances of a great number of works and the first Finnish performances of Schönbergs Serenade op. 24 and Boulez' "Pli selon Pli". He actively participates in various festivals including a contemporary music festival in Viitasaari, Finland. Savijoki is also interested in period instruments, especially for early Romatic chamber music. In January 1990 Jukka Savijoki was awarded a five-year scholarship from the State of Finland to promote his artistic activities. He is the first guitarist granted such a scholarship. Among his concert activities Jukka Savijoki is a senior lecturer at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland. In 1997 he graduated as Doctor of Music. Between 2002-2007 he was the artistic director of the Sibelius-Academy concert series ”Seria Classica”.

Lorenzo Micheli has taken up a busy concert career throughout the world since winning the first prize in some of the most prestigious guitar competitions (Gargnano, Alessandria, “Guitar Foundation of America”). He has played more than 600 concerts all over Europe, in two hundred US and Canadian cities, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as a soloist and with orchestra. Since 2002 he has been performing worldwide in duo with Matteo Mela – under the name of “SoloDuo” – in such venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Seoul’s Sejong Hall, Kiev’s Hall of Columns and Vienna’s Konzerthaus. Their duo was welcomed by “The Washington Post”  as “extraordinarily sensitive – nothing less than rapturous”.

His discography (more than 20 titles in 15 years on the labels Naxos, Stradivarius, Pomegranate, Soundset and Amadeus) includes the music of Dionisio Aguado, the Quartets, op. 19, by François de Fossa, the Sonatas by Viennese composer Ferdinand Rebay, a CD of 17th Century Italian music for baroque guitar, archlute and theorbo, a collection of Arias and Cantatas by Alessandro Scarlatti, the complete guitar Concertos and the 24 Preludes and Fugues for two guitars by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a double CD of chamber masterpieces by Mauro Giuliani, Miguel Llobet’s complete guitar works, Antoine de Lhoyer’s Duos Concertants, three anthologies of music for two guitars (“Noesis”, “Solaria” and “Metamorphoses”), and the album “Morning in Iowa” (with David Knopfler). His latest recording, “Autumn of the Soul”, was released by Contrastes Records.

A very active editor and researcher, Lorenzo has published solo and chamber works with guitar by such composers as Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Ferdinand Rebay. He is in charge of a collection of music for two guitars for Éditions d'OZ.

Lorenzo lives in Milan, Italy. He teaches at the University School of Music in Lugano, Switzerland, and he is Artist in Residence at the University of Colorado Boulder. 
For further info, please visit www.lorenzomicheli.com and www.soloduo.it

Matteo Mela was born in Imperia in 1971. A student of Renzo Doria Miglietta in his hometown, he moved to Cremona to pursue his studies of musicology at the University. In Cremona he met Giovanni Puddu, who played a major role in his musical education; at the same time, he had the chance to attend the classes of Angelo Gilardino, Alirio Diaz, Oscar Ghiglia, David Russell, the Assad brothers. Moreover, he studied chamber music at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola with Dario De Rosa, Alexander Lonquich, and Pier Narciso Masi.As a member of the Mela-Bandini duo Matteo won – between 1991 and 1998 – the first prize in several prestigious chamber music competitions, such as the Aram (Rome) 1992, the F. Cilea Competition in 1993, the GMI in 1994, the Città di Gubbio, Città di Caltanissetta and Perugia Classico Competitions in 1995.

In 2002 they formed with Lorenzo Micheli a duo that has already performed throughout Europe, Asia, the US, Canada and Latin America, and has been acclaimed everywhere – from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Seoul’s Sejong Chamber Hall and Vienna’s Konzerthaus – as one of the best ensembles ever heard. About one of their performances, The Washington Post wrote: “Extraordinarily sensitive, with effortless command and an almost unbearable delicacy of touch, the duo’s playing was nothing less than rapturous – profound and unforgettable musicianship of the highest order.”

A teacher at the Conservatoire Populaire de Musique in Geneva (Switzerland), Matteo records regularly for the labels Naxos, Mel Bay, and Stradivarius.

www.matteomela.it