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Carlos
Bonell, who has established himself as one of Britain's most
versatile guitarist, has enjoyed an immensely varied career.
His activities include TV, Film and CD recordings, international
tours, concertos with the major orchestras and concerts with
his own Ensemble.
Carlos Bonell?s guitar playing can be heard on the recent
Hollywood films "City of Angels" and "The Honest
Courtesan" and on the TV films "Inspector Morse?"and
"The Politician?s Wife".
Carlos Bonell gained prominence in 1981 through his recording
for Decca of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the Montreal
Symphony Orchestra and Charles Dutoit. It was hailed as a ?magnificent
triumph by Classical Music Magazine, UK, and awarded a coveted
rosette by the Penguin CD guide. Since that time it has been
repeatedly singled out as the finest version available.
In addition to his Decca recordings Carlos Bonell has
recorded for EMI, ASV, CBS and Upbeat Classics. At the beginning
of his recording career his 1976 CBS recording with John Williams
and Friends received a Grammy nomination, while his latest solo
album release ("The Private Collection" Upbeat Classics
1998) was described as ?a masterclass in magic" by the BBC
Music Magazine. His 1997 album "The Sea in Spring"
was chosen as Pick of the Week by Classic FM.
Carlos Bonell has appeared in concert with a wide variety
of musicians including guitarist John Williams, Hucky Eichelmann,
flamenco guitarists Paco Pena and Juan Martin, jazz guitarist
Martin Taylor, violinists Salvatore Accardo, Pinchas Zukerman
and Levon Chilingirian, and singers Patricia Rozario, Teresa
Berganza, Cleo Laine and Philip Langridge.
During the 1980's he formed his own ensemble, the Carlos
Bonell Ensemble, which includes some of Britain's finest musicians.
The Ensemble, which has toured in more than 20 countries, is
widely regarded as the most innovative and entertaining guitar-based
ensemble in the world today.
Carlos Bonell was born in London of Spanish parents and
studied at the Royal College of Music with John Williams. He
was appointed the youngest ever professor there in 1972. Since
that time he has played in many parts of the world including
most European capitals as well as in the United States, Israel,
Australia and the Far East. He has appeared regularly with all
the major British orchestras and at many international Festivals
including The City of London, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Israel, Tanglewood,
Sydney, Istanbul, Hong Kong and New York's Mostly Mozart Festival.
| Carlos Bonell Discography |
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John
Williams and Friends
CBS 73487 |
Guitar
Music of the Baroque
ASV K53555 |
Rodrigo
Concierto de Aranjuez
+ Fantasia para un Gentilhombre with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Charles Dutoit
Decca SXDL7525 |
Twentieth
Century Music for Guitar
EMI CDC 7495122 |
Once
upon a Time in the West with Xer-Wai (violin)
Music by Sarasate, Schumann, Schubert, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Falla
and others
All arrangements by Carlos Bonell
Elite Music EL 5027 |
Benjamin
Britten Songs with Philip Langridge (tenor)
Collins Classics |
The
Sea in Spring
Carlos Bonell with his Ensemble
Music for guitars with flute and panpipes
Upbeat Classics URCD 128 |
The
Private Collection
Carlos Bonell?s favourite music for guitar
Upbeat Classics URCD 145 |
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Selected press reviews |
"Supple
rhythm and passionately lyrical phrasing. A masterclass in magic"
BBC Music Magazine, January 1999
"Peerless performance ...utmost lucidity and gracefulness
...magically atmospheric playing."
The West Australian, January 1999
"Carlos Bonell has a huge following in England, and the
reception given to his recital was ecstatic. It was a performance
of powerful contrasts and glowing colours. Orthodox in the contemporary
sense it was not ? and how his audience loved it!"
Classical Guitar Magazine, UK, January 1999
"...unfailingly seductive. Bonell possesses that rare ability
to "smile" through the instrument as in Albeniz's popular
Granada, and also makes a thing of wonder out of Barrios? Julia
Florida."
Classic CD Magazine, UK, August 1998
"Continuously imaginative, Carlos Bonell makes full use
of the expressive palette on whatever style of canvas the music
is painted. He eked out each drop of inspiration from his heart.
A concert bursting full of ideas."
Classical Guitar Magazine, UK, August 1998
"...a sensitive and poetic exponent.... a varied and subtly
employed tonal palette and lightly worn virtuosity."
Gramophone Magazine, February 1999
"This live lunchtime concert broadcast by the BBC was packed
to the gills. An artist intent on drawing on many colours, Bonell
likes to create vibrant pictures in sound."
Classical Guitar Magazine, UK, May 1998 |
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