Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1958

 

Víctor Villadangos is a renowned classical guitarist from Argentina, known for his virtuosic performances and interpretations of Latin American music. Born on December 16, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Villadangos grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a guitarist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged him to pursue music from a young age. Villadangos began playing the guitar at the age of six, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing in public. He studied with some of the most prominent guitarists of his time, including Jorge Martínez Zárate and María Luisa Anido. He also attended the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires, where he studied composition and music theory. In 1973, Villadangos won first prize in the National Guitar Competition in Argentina, which launched his career as a professional musician. He went on to perform in major concert halls throughout Argentina and South America, and in 1980, he made his debut in Europe, performing in Spain, France, and Italy. Throughout his career, Villadangos has been recognized for his exceptional talent and artistry. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Konex Award for Best Instrumentalist in Argentina in 1989 and 1999, and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Album in 2002 for his recording of the music of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. One of Villadangos' most notable performances was his appearance at the 1986 International Guitar Festival in Cordoba, Spain, where he performed alongside some of the world's most renowned guitarists, including Andrés Segovia and Julian Bream. He also performed at the 1992 World Expo in Seville, Spain, and at the 1994 International Guitar Festival in Paris, France. In addition to his performances, Villadangos is also a prolific recording artist. He has recorded over 20 albums, including several devoted to the music of Latin American composers such as Heitor Villa-Lobos, Antonio Lauro, and Leo Brouwer. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have been praised for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. Villadangos' repertoire is diverse, ranging from classical works by Bach and Mozart to contemporary pieces by Piazzolla and Brouwer. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Latin America, which he has helped to popularize and bring to a wider audience. His performances of works such as Lauro's "Venezuelan Waltzes" and Piazzolla's "Tango Suite" are considered definitive interpretations of these pieces. Throughout his career, Villadangos has been a passionate advocate for the guitar and its music. He has taught master classes and given lectures at universities and conservatories around the world, and has served as a judge for numerous guitar competitions. He has also been involved in the commissioning and premiering of new works for the guitar, working with composers such as Sergio Assad and Leo Brouwer. Today, Villadangos continues to perform and record, and remains one of the most respected and admired classical guitarists of his generation. His contributions to the guitar and its music have been significant, and his legacy as a performer and teacher will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

More....