The ’Wunderkind’ of classical guitar
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by Johabbes Hillje
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 09, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - The audience at the opening of the "Guitar Days" at the Akbank Art Center in Istanbul on Thursday could see her passion without any doubt. One of the youngest and most talented virtuoso guitarists in the world, Ana Vidovic from Croatia, gave an outstanding performance
One of the youngest and most talented virtuoso guitarists in the world, Ana Vidovic from Croatia, opened this year’s "Guitar Days" at the Akbank Art Center in Istanbul on Thursday.
The audience at the opening could see her passion without any doubt. Her face expressed the total surrender to her instrument as she presented her different styles. Having started with a Spanish repertoire including Federico Moreno Torrobo, Vidovic continued with modern pieces by William Walton and Rex Willis. She mastered all these styles with her sensitive treatment of the strings of her guitar.
Vidovic started to play the guitar at the age of 5 and performed for the first time in front of an international audience when she was 11. Later she became the youngest student at the National Musical Academy in Zagreb and at the age of 21 she had already won an impressive number of prizes and international competitions around the world. These include first prizes in the Albert Augustine International Competition in Bath, England, and the Fernando Sor competition in Rome. To date, Vidovic released six CDs and one DVD.
Musical family
In an interview with Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Vidovic said her musical environment in her youth was a driving factor for her career. "My whole family was musicians, so things developed naturally from the beginning." Soon, her older brother Victor, who is now a well-known classical guitarist too, became her idol. She said seeing him play inspired her to play her own songs.
"At a certain point I had to make a decision," Vidovic said. "Becoming a professional guitarist means no normal childhood, no going out and of course, lots of practice. But I felt that this is what I really want to do."
Introducing the new
Although classical music is not particularly popular among European youth, growing up in Zagreb supported her musical development. "Classical guitar is quite popular in Croatia and therefore I could already visit many concerts during my youth." At 28, however, Vidovic still faces the stereotype that classical music is just for a certain class and age. "I say, just come and listen. Classical music is not about education or behaving and dressing in a certain way," she said.
By presenting a repertoire that mixes styles such as blues and rock, Vidovic said she tries to bring something new to her genre and overcome these prejudices. "It’s a huge task, but through the way you act on stage, change is possible."
Since Vidovic moved to the United States and graduated from the Peabody Conservatory, where she worked together with the influential Cuban guitarist Manuel Barrueco, the petite guitarist has been touring the world. Having performed in most European countries as well as in South America and many places in the United States, recently Vidovic has been playing with orchestras. She said performing in Russia and more collaboration with orchestras are her future dreams.
Vidovic’s desire for the guitar seems to be everlasting. "I cannot image not playing the guitar one day. It gives me something really special. When I’m playing, it feels like I’m in a different place," she said.
Guitar Days will continue with a performance by France’s Roland Dyens on March 21 and finish with Germany’s Frank Bungarten on March 24.
The audience at the opening could see her passion without any doubt. Her face expressed the total surrender to her instrument as she presented her different styles. Having started with a Spanish repertoire including Federico Moreno Torrobo, Vidovic continued with modern pieces by William Walton and Rex Willis. She mastered all these styles with her sensitive treatment of the strings of her guitar.
Vidovic started to play the guitar at the age of 5 and performed for the first time in front of an international audience when she was 11. Later she became the youngest student at the National Musical Academy in Zagreb and at the age of 21 she had already won an impressive number of prizes and international competitions around the world. These include first prizes in the Albert Augustine International Competition in Bath, England, and the Fernando Sor competition in Rome. To date, Vidovic released six CDs and one DVD.
Musical family
In an interview with Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Vidovic said her musical environment in her youth was a driving factor for her career. "My whole family was musicians, so things developed naturally from the beginning." Soon, her older brother Victor, who is now a well-known classical guitarist too, became her idol. She said seeing him play inspired her to play her own songs.
"At a certain point I had to make a decision," Vidovic said. "Becoming a professional guitarist means no normal childhood, no going out and of course, lots of practice. But I felt that this is what I really want to do."
Introducing the new
Although classical music is not particularly popular among European youth, growing up in Zagreb supported her musical development. "Classical guitar is quite popular in Croatia and therefore I could already visit many concerts during my youth." At 28, however, Vidovic still faces the stereotype that classical music is just for a certain class and age. "I say, just come and listen. Classical music is not about education or behaving and dressing in a certain way," she said.
By presenting a repertoire that mixes styles such as blues and rock, Vidovic said she tries to bring something new to her genre and overcome these prejudices. "It’s a huge task, but through the way you act on stage, change is possible."
Since Vidovic moved to the United States and graduated from the Peabody Conservatory, where she worked together with the influential Cuban guitarist Manuel Barrueco, the petite guitarist has been touring the world. Having performed in most European countries as well as in South America and many places in the United States, recently Vidovic has been playing with orchestras. She said performing in Russia and more collaboration with orchestras are her future dreams.
Vidovic’s desire for the guitar seems to be everlasting. "I cannot image not playing the guitar one day. It gives me something really special. When I’m playing, it feels like I’m in a different place," she said.
Guitar Days will continue with a performance by France’s Roland Dyens on March 21 and finish with Germany’s Frank Bungarten on March 24.