Carlos Bonell has been described by the Classical Guitar Magazine, UK
as "one of the great communicators of the guitar world". He has
recorded more than twenty albums and played in forty countries, with concert
appearances ranging from intimate recitals to concertos with symphony
orchestras.
His latest album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour, inspired by his association with Sir Paul McCartney is dedicated to the music of the Beatles in Carlos' own arrangements for solo guitar. It went to number one on the UK iTunes classical album charts in May 2012.
His latest album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour, inspired by his association with Sir Paul McCartney is dedicated to the music of the Beatles in Carlos' own arrangements for solo guitar. It went to number one on the UK iTunes classical album charts in May 2012.
Carlos
was born in London of Spanish parents in 1949. He started to play at the age of
five, learning to play Spanish folk music from his father who was a keen
amateur guitarist. He completed his studies at the Royal College of Music with
John Williams, where he was appointed the youngest ever professor at the age of
22.
After Carlos' New York début in 1978, the New York Times described him as an artist of "superb poetic gifts".Appearances followed at many international Festivals followed including The City of London, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Israel, Tanglewood, Sydney, Istanbul, and Hong Kong.
After Carlos' New York début in 1978, the New York Times described him as an artist of "superb poetic gifts".Appearances followed at many international Festivals followed including The City of London, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Israel, Tanglewood, Sydney, Istanbul, and Hong Kong.
In
1981 Carlos made the first of his three recordings of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Recorded in Canada with the
Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Charles Dutoit for the Decca label, it was the
first-ever digital recording of the concerto and was hailed as "a
magnificent triumph" by the Classical Music magazine. It was awarded a
coveted rosette by the Penguin CD Guide and has been frequently singled out
ever since as the finest version available.
In 1995 Carlos gave a landmark benefit concert at the Wigmore Hall, London with John Williams to raise awareness of the plight of children around the world caught in acts of war. All proceeds were donated to the organisation War Child. This was one of many appearances with John Williams during a lifetime's association.
In 1995 Carlos gave a landmark benefit concert at the Wigmore Hall, London with John Williams to raise awareness of the plight of children around the world caught in acts of war. All proceeds were donated to the organisation War Child. This was one of many appearances with John Williams during a lifetime's association.
2005
saw the first London International Guitar Festival, of which Carlos
was founder and artistic director. The festival has remained to this day the
largest guitar festival ever presented in London
with events in five major halls.
In 2006 Carlos began to help Sir Paul McCartney who is composing a concerto for guitar and orchestra. Over many meetings he has notated and recorded drafts of the guitar part. The work was featured in a June 2007 cover article by The New Yorker magazine.
In 2006 Carlos began to help Sir Paul McCartney who is composing a concerto for guitar and orchestra. Over many meetings he has notated and recorded drafts of the guitar part. The work was featured in a June 2007 cover article by The New Yorker magazine.
Carlos'
interest in bringing the classical guitar into the mainstream led in 2008 to
his album release Queen Guitar Rhapsodies,
in concerto-style arrangements of music by the group Queen for solo guitar and
symphony orchestra. It was widely praised, including by Queen's Brian May.
During 2013 Carlos is presenting Magical Mystery Guitar Tour in concert. As well as going to number one on the UK classical iTunes charts, the album also entered the top ten in the overall UK iTunes charts.
During 2013 Carlos is presenting Magical Mystery Guitar Tour in concert. As well as going to number one on the UK classical iTunes charts, the album also entered the top ten in the overall UK iTunes charts.
