Dale Kavanagh

Three of the most beloved guitar concertos are brilliantly performed by the critically acclaimed Amadeus Guitar Duo. Dale Kavanagh and Thomas Kirchoff have toured in more than 50 countries and have enchanted audiences everywhere they go with their exuberance, virtuoso presentation and warm, sensitive guitar tone.

Canadian-born Dale Kavanagh is one of the guitar world’s most gifted interpreters. Between 1986 and 1988 Ms. Kavanagh was a top prize-winner in Spain’s “Segovia Competition”, Italy’s “Gargnano Competition”, Switzerland’s “Neuchâtel Com petition” and First and Special Prize winner in Finland’s “Scandinavian International Guitar Competition”. Dale Kavanagh received her Bachelor of Music degree at Dalhousie University in Canada, then completed her graduate studies with the Solisten Diplom at the Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel with Oscar Ghiglia in Switzerland.

Previously released, here's a guitar recital that deserves a second hearing! In addition to Berkeley's modestly titled “Sonatina” (actually one of the most difficult compositions ever composed for the instrument) and an arrangement for guitar solo of the slow movement from Villa-Lobos' Guitar Concerto are several less well known works from that most popular of composers for the guitar, the late Joaquin Rodrigo. The perfect gift for your favorite guitar enthusiast.

The late 20th century has proven to be a second Golden Age for the classical guitar. Many fine composers (and guitarist-composers) have continued to compose impressive, accessible and soulful works for this most universal of instruments. For her program on TOCCATA IN BLUE, Ms. Kavanagh has selected a program representative of this renaissance. The works of composer Carlo Domeniconi are no strangers to guitar aficionados and reflect both a warm Mediterranean atmosphere as well as subtle jazz influences. A Latin American influence is heard in two suites by Zenamon (the larger of the two, is a musical invitation to read Herman Hesse's book, “Demian”) and several highly idiomatic originals by Dale Kavanagh herself.

Canadian Guitar virtuoso, Dale Kavanagh returns this month to present a varied program of variations. The twentieth century witnessed the rebirth of the classical guitar, and one of its leading exponents is Dale Kavanagh. "La Folia" by Manuel-Maria Ponce and the "Nocturnal after John Dowland" by Benjamin Britten are undoubtedly two of the most important pieces ever composed for guitar. Carlo Domeniconi's impressive "Turkish Variations" has been firmly established in international guitarists' repertoire for over a decade. Dale Kavanagh is the ideal interpreter for this challenging and exciting scores. If you are unfamiliar with her artistry, THIS is the recording to start with!

Dale Kavanagh enjoys a musical challenge; she plays with profound sensitivity, clarity and brilliance. On this CD she has selected Classical-Romantic repertoire in order to demonstrate her flawless technique. At the same time, her choice of composers says it all: anyone who is willing to take on Paganini has a passion for wild runs, arpeggios and energetic rhythms. Dale Kavanagh especially admires Paganini, who wrote more for the guitar than for the violin: "For me, the contrast between lyric melodies and untamed dynamics, chords and scales are a source of immeasurable delight." (Dale Kavanagh)