STEPHEN MARCHIONDA

 

Classical guitar,

Spain

Stephen Marchionda is known on the international concert scene as a performer who blends the expressive, colourist playing of the past with modern technique, flair, imagination and scholarship. He has recently been featured in highly acclaimed performances at London’s Wigmore Hall and New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Elsewhere he has been invited to perform at such notable venues as the Kennedy Center, Frick Collection, Harvard Music Club, Aspen and Cheltenham Summer Music Festivals, Lincoln Center, South Bank Centre, Sala Luis Ángel Arango de Bogota, BBC Radio 3, Radio Nacional de España, National Public Radio, El Gran Teatro del Liceu de Barcelona and the Royal Opera House.

The new recording from Stephen Marchionda, "La guitarra poética", features transcriptions for guitar from the original piano music of Enrique Granados. Stephen’s previous recordings feature both premiered new works and his own adventurous transcriptions. Among his other recordings on the MDG label are his transcriptions of "Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti" and “Serenata, transcriptions of works by Isaac Albéniz". These recordings have received exceptional attention and plaudits. With the award winning "Songs for Tenor and Guitar" (Chandos Records), he made the premiere recording of Nicholas Maw’s masterpiece "Music of Memory" for solo guitar, along with other works by Benjamin Britten and John Dowland. He has recorded as well the complete series of variations and preludes of Manuel María Ponce on Universal Records (ASV).

Active in concertos with orchestra and chamber music, Stephen has appeared in special collaborations in concert and recordings with famed British tenor Philip Langridge, mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager, the London Sinfonietta, Sebastian Bell amongst others. Recently exploring a popular mix with cantaoras (flamenco singer) Rocío Márquez and Marina Heredia. Stephen as well has premiered many new works, including ones written for him by internationally renowned composers, including Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Nicholas Maw.

Stephen is a graduate of Yale University’s School of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music and was a protégé of famed pedagogue Ricardo Iznaola. He was affiliated with the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received classes with the celebrated guitarist Julian Bream. He has won many international prizes, including the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Solo, the Segovia International, and the Manuel de Falla. Stephen currently lives in Barcelona.

The new release from Stephen Marchionda, "La guitarra poética" (June 2017), features transcriptions for guitar from the original piano music of Enrique Granados.