Chamber music master class by Giovanni Guzzo

Dates, times and places:

24 January 2016 (Tue), 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., Old Academy Chamber Music Hall

25 January 2016 (Wed), 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., Liszt Academy Main Building, Room X

Application:

All interested are welcome to the master class, but only Liszt Academy students may apply as active participants, as string quartets or other string instrument ensembles. Please include the names of the members, their instrument and your repertoire in your application.

Previous registration is necessary for passive participants, as well. If you need a certificate about participating in the master class, please notify the organizers in advance.

Send your application and registration requests to Ms. Júlia Belicza (belicza.julia[at]zeneakademia.hu).

Venezuelan born violinist Giovanni Guzzo has established himself as one of the most versatile and charismatic performers of his generation. Born to parents of Italian and Venezuelan heritage, he continues to captivate audiences around the world with his unique and passionate approach to his performances. Following his solo debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, critics described him as a wonderfully “magnetic” and “commanding” performer.

Giovanni started his musical studies with the piano at the early age of five and violin at the age of six under the guidance of Emil Friedman and Luis Miguel Gonzales. At the age of 12 he became the youngest violinist to win 1st prize at the XII National Violin Competition “Juan Bautista Plaza” in Venezuela.

A keen recitalist and chamber musician, Giovanni has worked closely with some of today’s leading musicians, including Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, Martin Fröst, Daniel Hope, Stephen Hough, Mats Lidstrom, Gerhard Schulz, Gábor Takács-Nagy, the Maggini and Takacs Quartets and Maxim Vengerov, to name but a few. His talent has been recognised with numerous awards including Her Majesty the Queen’s commendation for Excellence, HRH Princess Alice's Prize, Gold medal at the Marlow Music Festival, PROMIS award given by the London Symphony Orchestra, finalist at the YCAT (Young Concert Artists Trust) competition and the Manoug Parikian and Myra Hess award.

Giovanni has performed on several occasions for the Royal Family, most recently performing for Her Majesty the Queen on the famous 'Viotti ex-Bruce' Stradivarius violin.

He appears regularly in live Television and Radio broadcasts, most recently on BBC’s Radio 3 performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Manchester Camerata under Gábor Takács-Nagy. He was also the youngest musician ever invited to perform a solo recital at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), in front of world leaders and some of today’s most influential personalities.

A protégé of the renowned French virtuoso violinist Maurice Hasson, Giovanni was granted a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, from where he graduated with the highest honours. He previously studied with Zakhar Bron at the “Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia” in Madrid.

Giovanni continues to perform as soloist and chamber musician in some of the most prestigious venues around the world, including the Wigmore Hall and Zurich Tonhalle, and is a regular guest at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Schloss Cappenberg and Mecklenburg Vorpommern festivals in Germany.

He is principal guest leader of the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Ivan Fischer; and was recently appointed Violin professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Giovanni Guzzo plays on a 1759 Nicola Gagliano Violin, kindly on extended loan to him; and a bow by T. Baker awarded to him by J&A Beare.