Birth

:

in Bosnia

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Denis Azabagic is a Bosnian classical guitarist who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and innovative interpretations of classical guitar repertoire. Born on May 27, 1962, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azabagic began playing the guitar at the age of seven. He studied at the Sarajevo Music Academy with the renowned guitarist Ante Cagalj, and later at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Croatia, with the legendary guitarist and pedagogue, Alirio Diaz. Azabagic's early career was marked by numerous awards and accolades, including first prizes at the International Guitar Competitions in Paris, France, and Gargnano, Italy. He also won the prestigious Andres Segovia International Guitar Competition in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1988, which launched his international career. Throughout the 1990s, Azabagic performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, appearing as a soloist with major orchestras and in recital at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also recorded several critically acclaimed albums, including "Denis Azabagic Plays Bach" and "Denis Azabagic Plays Piazzolla." In 2000, Azabagic joined the faculty of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he currently serves as Professor of Guitar. He has also taught masterclasses and workshops at leading music schools and festivals around the world, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Azabagic's playing is characterized by his technical mastery, expressive phrasing, and deep musicality. He is known for his innovative programming, which often combines classical repertoire with contemporary works and arrangements of popular music. He has also commissioned and premiered numerous new works for the guitar, including pieces by composers such as Sergio Assad, Clarice Assad, and Lior Navok. In addition to his performing and teaching activities, Azabagic is also an active composer and arranger. He has written several works for guitar, including a concerto for guitar and orchestra, and has arranged music by composers such as Bach, Scarlatti, and Piazzolla for the guitar. Azabagic's contributions to the classical guitar world have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina for his contributions to the arts. He has also been named a D'Addario Artist and a Savarez Artist, and has received the Guitar Foundation of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. Denis Azabagic continues to be an active performer, teacher, and advocate for the classical guitar. His recordings and performances have inspired countless guitarists around the world, and his innovative programming and commissioning of new works have helped to expand the repertoire and possibilities of the instrument.

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