Presented in partnership with Austin Classical Guitar
Biography
Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. During his studies at the Royal Academy, David Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition , the José Ramírez Competition and Spain's prestigious Francisco Tárrega Competition.
In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997. In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made "adopted son" of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Later the town named a street after him, "Avinguda David Russell", and in November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics. In 2009 David was named honorary member of "Amigos de la Guitarra", the oldest guitar society in Spain. Russell won a Grammy award for his CD Aire Latino in the category of best instrumental soloist in classical music, received an honorary Doctorate in Music by the University of Arizona in Tucson in 2014, was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Guitar Foundation of America in 2018. A prolific recording artist, his collection includes seventeen CDs with Telarc International.
Of his performance, The New York Times wrote: "... Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension". Upon hearing him play in London, Andrés Segovia wrote, "My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique".
Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of his musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance. His attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer wished to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure.