Bristol Classical Guitar Society

May 2026 Meetup
2026-05-14 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Study in Style (Etudes)

Studies that also make convincing concert pieces.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances19:45MEMBER TALKJohn Powell: Why 12 Frets to the Octave?20:10GUEST TALKGerald Garcia: Anatomy of an Etude21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

April 2026 Meetup
2026-04-09 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Hidden Treasures

Overlooked gems and modern miniatures that sing.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST ARTISTIGF Young Artists Platform presents Gonçalo Caetano21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

Gonçalo Caetano
2026-04-09 08:10 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Gonçalo Maia Caetano is a classical guitarist from Pinhel, Portugal, currently completing a Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music.

He has won over ten international competitions, including the prestigious Prince’s Prize awarded by the The Worshipful Company of Musicians.

In 2020, Gonçalo joined the Phemo Quartet as a bass player. The ensemble has performed at leading venues including Vortex Jazz Club and Kings Place. Their debut album, Anti-Revelation, is scheduled for release later this year.

This concert is presented in collaboration with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

Programme

Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750)Overture in B-flat major

Toru Takemitsu (1930–1996)All in TwilightI. —II. DarkIII. —IV. Slightly Fast

Miguel Llobet (1878–1938)Scherzo-Vals

Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885–1944)Mazurka Appassionata

Ashkan Layegh (b. 1997)For Solo Guitar 2 (IGF Commission, 2025)

Sérgio Assad (b. 1952)AquarelleI. DivertimentoII. ValseanaIII. Prelúdio e Toccatina

BCGS Concert Series 2026 - Jack Hancher
2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
Jack Hancher is one of the most compelling voices in today’s classical guitar scene. Described by Gramophone as possessing “youthful intensity tempered by sophisticated musical intelligence” and by Gendai Guitar Magazine as “a poet and a painter, colouring sounds out of the guitar as if his imagination and the guitar were one,” Hancher’s artistry consistently draws critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences alike.

In 2022, he won the prestigious Gold Medal at the Royal Overseas League Competition at London’s Wigmore Hall, becoming only the third guitarist ever to achieve this distinction. His 2024 debut album, The Memory Garden, released on the Deux-Elles label, was met with high praise for its clarity, focus and expressive depth, earning a place among MusicWeb International’s Best Recordings of 2024 and positive notices on BBC Record Review.

Hancher has toured extensively across Europe, appeared live on BBC Radio 3, and performs a repertoire that spans from intimate solo works to contemporary commissions.

Don’t miss his upcoming performance in Bristol hosted by the Bristol Classical Guitar Society, where his radiant technique and poetic musicality promise an unforgettable concert experience.

www.jackhancherguitar.com

Tickets

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)From BWV 1002

SarabandeDouble

BourréeDouble

Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006)Fantasy for Guitar

PreludeScherzoArietta IFughettaArietta IIMarchPostlude

Laura Snowden (b. 1993)The Memory Garden

Interval

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin

Manuel de Falla (1876–1946)Homenaje pour Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy

Claude DebussyDanse Bohémienne

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)À la Manière de Borodin

Federico Mompou (1893–1987)Canción No. 6

Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909)Capricho Catalán

Antonio José (1902–1936)Sonata for Guitar

Allegro ModeratoMinuettoPavana TristeFinale

March 2026 Meetup
2026-03-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Faces and Places

Musical portraits. Pieces inspired by people and specific places and scenes.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember PerformancesTony Mulholland — Ave Maria — Franz SchubertMartin Allsop — Shakespeare Music — Martin AllsopRobert Gough — Ancient Stones — Jeremy SouleSteve Watson — Julia Florida — Agustín Barrios MangoréTony Eastwood — Small Dancing Pigs — Tony EastwoodLewis Tredinnick — Alba Nera — Roland DyensPaul Bradshaw — Recuerdos de la Alhambra — Francisco Tárrega19:45MEMBER TALKPeter Smith: Neuroscience of Practicing20:10GUEST ARTISTJohan Löfving: ‘God Save the Queen!‘Join celebrated guitarist and researcher Johan Löfving on a musical journey across Victorian London. Enjoy the dazzling and intimate sounds of Regondi, Pratten and their contemporaries on an original 19th century instrument!21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

February 2026 Meetup
2026-02-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Numbers and Patterns

Groove, symmetry, polymetre, variations

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST ARTISTEmily Andrews and Francisco Correa: From Honey To Ashes album preview21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

January 2026 Meetup and AGM
2026-01-08 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Programme

19:15Members’ showcase (Distant Lands)Solos and chamber ensembles20:10Annual General Meeting – agenda will be shared ahead of time21:00BCGS Large Ensemble rehearsal

Theme

This month’s theme is Distant Lands: Journeys in sound – from Iberia to the Andes and the Balkans
Here’s an example of some repertoire that might fit the theme:

Beginner: Marek Pasieczny – one miniature from Travels / Easy
Miniatures
Intermediate: Vincent Lindsey-Clark – a piece from Simply Latin or Simply
Spanish
Advanced Intermediate: Gary Ryan – a piece from City Scenes or Scenes for Guitar
Advanced: Ian Krouse – Variations on a Moldavian Hora

2025 Members' Winter Concert
2025-12-11 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Come and support our members at this performance, allowing them to showcase their hard work this year! Includes solos, small chamber groups and the BCGS Ensemble.
19:00 – 19:50 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal
20:00 – 22:00 Members’ Winter Concert

BCGS Concert Series 2025 - Ian Watt
2025-11-15 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
Ian Watt (b. 1991, Aberdeen, Scotland) is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading classical guitarists. Described by Classical Guitar Magazine as “a guitarist of outstanding skill and originality,” he came to international attention at 18 when he won 2nd prize in the prestigious Parkening International Guitar Competition (USA). His other international prizes include the 2010 Vienna “Homage to Karl Scheit” competition, 2010 Westphalian Guitar Spring Competition and 2011 Heinsberg International Guitar Competition.

Since then, Watt has built a truly international profile, performing solo recitals across Europe, East Asia and the Americas. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia and the Scottish Philharmonic, among others. His recordings on Nimbus Alliance have earned praise from BBC Music Magazine, The Herald, and others for their “exceptional range of timbre,” “sublime” interpretation and “dazzling virtuosic” command.

Alongside his performing career, Ian Watt is committed to education and the development of the classical guitar. He gives frequent masterclasses internationally and currently lectures at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His repertoire ranges from Spanish and British classics to contemporary works, including several premieres of pieces dedicated to him.

See more about Ian at https://www.ianwattguitar.com.

In this BCGS Concert Series concert on Saturday 15 November 2025, 7:30pm, Ian Watt will bring his signature blend of technical brilliance and expressive depth, promising an evening that will both engage longtime guitar lovers and enchant those new to the instrument.

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959) — Five Preludes

Prelude No. 2 in E major — “Melodia capadócia”
Prelude No. 3 in A minor — “Homenagem a Bach”

Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885–1944)

Madrigal – Gavota
Prelude in C minor
Contemplación
Vals No. 3, Op. 8
Julia Florida
La Catedral

i. Preludio (Saudade)
ii. Andante Religioso
iii. Allegro Solemne

Interval

John McLeod (1934–2022) — Three Mythical Pieces

Amphion’s Lyre
Salamander
Ariadne’s Thread

Claude Debussy (1862–1918) — Préludes, Book I

No. 8 — “La fille aux cheveux de lin” (The girl with the flaxen hair) (transcription: Watt)
No. 12 — “Minstrels” (transcription: Castelnuovo-Tedesco)

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968)

Capriccio Diabolico (Omaggio a Paganini), Op. 85

Ennio Morricone (1928–2020)

C’era una Volta il West (transcription: Watt)

Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909)

Seguidillas, Op. 232/5 (transcription: Watt)

November 2025 Meetup
2025-11-13 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme:Something Old or Something New.
Old repertoire you learnt long ago, or something you just learnt!
19:15-19:45 Solos and chamber ensembles

19:45-20:00 Members’ Short Talk TBD

20:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal
Double session to prepare for next month’s concert!

Fika Duo: IGF Young Artists Platform
2025-10-09 20:10 - 21:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

The Fika Duo was formed in September 2023 by guitarist Zoë Meadowcroft and flautist Emma Lörstad in their first year at the Royal Academy of Music, where they both hold scholarships. Since their debut performance at the Academy, they have aimed to build a unique concert repertoire through new arrangements and collaborations with composers, including new works written by Zoë, as well as highlighting under-represented areas of the existing repertoire.

The name ‘Fika Duo’ comes from the Swedish tradition of ‘fika’, to take a break in one’s day to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and something sweet – Emma and Zoë’s secret weapon for long rehearsals.

Programme

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921–1992)Histoire du Tangoi. Bordel 1900

EFFY EFTHYMIOU (1980-)

Swarming (IGF Commission)

ASTOR PIAZZOLLAHistoire du Tango (ctd.)ii. Café 1930

FRANKLIN ONYESO (2005–)Cable to the Sun

ZOË MEADOWCROFT (2005–)Low Earth Orbit

ASTOR PIAZZOLLAHistoire du Tango (ctd.)iii. Nightclub 1960

STEPHEN GOSS (1964–)La Catedral Sumergida

ASTOR PIAZZOLLAHistoire du Tango (ctd.)iv. Concert d’Aujourd’hui

October 2025 Meetup and Fika Duo
2025-10-09 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: Personally Meaningful.
Play something which has great personal meaning for you
19:15-20:00 Solos and chamber ensembles
20:10-21:00 Young Artists Platform: Duo Fika
We host Duo Fika, one of this year’s IGF Young Artist Platform winners, for a short concert. See the event page here for background and a programme.
This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

Duo Cantelina: IGF Young Artist Platform
2025-09-11 20:10 - 21:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

Praised as “such an amazing talent“, Duo Cantelina are a dynamic vocal and guitar duo comprising of mezzo-soprano Sophie Clarke and classical guitarist Ravi Nathwani. They have just completed their Master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and have now been selected as International Guitar Foundation (IGF) Young Artists for 2024-2025.

During their time at the RNCM they received First Place in the Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Competition. Duo Cantelina performs at a selection of concerts all over the UK, including an invitation from the Consul of Spain to perform at the National Day of Spain celebrations in Manchester.

One of their most recent recitals took place at King’s Place in London, where they gave a performance of IGF commissioned work Self-love, specifically composed for the duo by Bobbie-Jane Gardner. Other performances include a recital for Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre and pre-concert and post-concert recitals for BBC Philharmonic and The Hallé, both at Bridgewater Hall.

Programme

JOSÉ SERRANOarr. Ravi NathwaniMarinela, Marinela

FRANZ SCHUBERTarr. Craig OgdenStändchen, D 889

MANUEL DE FALLAarr. Miguel Llobet & Emilio PujolSiete Canciones Populares Españolas i. El Paño Moruno ii. Seguidilla Murciana iii. Asturiana iv. Jota v. Nana vi. Canción vii. Polo

ROBERT BURNSarr. Ravi NathwaniAe Fond Kiss

BOBBIE-JANE GARDNER (IGF Commission)Self-love

KURT WEILLarr. Ravi NathwaniWie lange noch?

STANLEY MYERS & CLEO LAINEarr. Ravi NathwaniHe Was Beautiful

September 2025 Meetup and Duo Cantelina
2025-09-11 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: Cheesy classics.
Shamelessly celebrate the perennial favourites which might have drawn you to the guitar in the first place e.g. Spanish Romance, Lágrimas, Recuerdos, Cavatina, Asturias…
19:15-19:45 Solos and chamber ensembles
20:10-21:00 Young Artists Platform

We host Duo Cantelina, one of this year’s IGF Young Artist Platform winners, for a short concert. For more information, including the programme, see their event page here
This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

21:05-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

2025 Members' Summer Concert
2025-07-10 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Come and support our members at this performance, allowing them to showcase their hard work this year! Includes solos, small chamber groups and the BCGS Ensemble.
19:00 – 19:50 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal
20:00 – 22:00 Members’ Summer Concert

BCGS Concert Series 2025 - Eden-Stell Duo
2025-06-14 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
The Eden-Stell Guitar Duo, featuring Mark Eden and Christopher Stell, is one of the world’s leading classical guitar ensembles, renowned for their exceptional artistry and innovative performances. Hailing from the UK, the duo has dazzled audiences globally with their seamless interplay, virtuosic technique, and dynamic interpretations of a diverse repertoire, ranging from Renaissance to contemporary music. Their arrangements and original works have expanded the possibilities of guitar duo performance, earning acclaim for their creativity and precision. In addition to their concert career, they are dedicated educators, inspiring the next generation of musicians through masterclasses and workshops.

3-for-2 season tickets are valid for this concert. Tickets also available at the door.

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. Mark Eden)Sonata no. 4 K282– Adagio– Minuet I Minuet II– Allegro

Mario Castelnuovo-TedescoPrelude and Fugues from Les Guitars bien Tempérées– Prelude and Fugue I G minor– Prelude and Fugue II D major– Prelude and Fugue III A minor– Prelude and Fugue IV E major– Prelude and Fugue V B minor– Prelude and Fugue VI F# minorIda PrestiÉtude FantastiqueINTERVALJohann Sebastian Bach (arr. Chris Stell)Concerto in D BWV 974 minor, after Marcello– I Andante e spiccato– II Adagio– III PrestoArno Babajanyan (arr. Chris Stell)Three Pieces– Prelude– Impromptu– ElegyAndré JolietSérénade pour deux guitares– I Preludio e canzona– II Allegro Trepidante– III Andante Malinconico– IV Con Allegria

June 2025 Meetup and Composition Competition
2025-06-12 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: Own arrangement or composition (£100 first prize, £50 second prize!), or if not participating in the competition: music from a living composer.
This month we have a special competition — play your own composition or arrangement, and be in the running to win a £100 voucher/prize for the best own composition or arrangement, as voted for by the members in attendance on the night. Terms and conditions apply!

It must be your own composition or arrangement, written or finished in 2025
You must not have used this composition as an entry for any previous competition (including outside BCGS)
You consent to a video or recording of your composition going on the BCGS website
If it’s an arrangement, it should be fairly novel, rather than just slight tweaks on a common arrangement (e.g. just a different key)
Only active playing members of the BCGS are eligible to participate
First prize £100, and £50 and a set of D’Addario strings as a prize for the runner-up!

We don’t anticipate a huge number of entries, so alternatively, just play something by a living composer — but you won’t be in line for the prizes!
19:15-19:45 Solos and chamber ensembles
19:45-20:00 Member’s Short Talk Cari Aplin: How to practice guitar
20:00-20:50 Guest Speaker: Steve Toon, Guitar Maker Steve will talk about his general approach to guitar making and his more recent excursions into double-top guitars. Also about the way he developed his ideas on this type of guitar and all being well he will bring one new guitar for a demo.
21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

May 2025 Meetup
2025-05-08 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: Not originally for guitar – transcriptions throughout the ages
19:15-20:00 Solos and chamber ensembles
20:00-20:50 Guest Artists: Mosaic Guitar Ensemble
A short concert by the Mosaic Ensemble, based in the south of England, and under the direction of Amanda Cook
21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

Luke Tyrell: IGF Young Artist
2025-04-10 20:00 - 20:50 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
As part of our April Meetup, we’re delighted to host Luke Tyrell, an IGF Young Artist Platform winner, for a short concert.

Programme

Regino Sainz de la Maza (1896-1981)3 pieces from La Frontera de Dios i. Albada y Paisajeii. Meditacioniii. IdililioZapateado

Catharina Pratten (1824-1895)A Lament Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983)GuitareErrollyn Wallen (1958-)Red (Homage to Rodrigo)Miguel Llobet (1878-1938)Canco del Lladre Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)Sonata Op. 61 i. Allegroii. Andanteiii. Allegro vivoFrancisco Tarrega (1852-1909)Gran Jota

This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

April 2025 Meetup and Luke Tyrell
2025-04-10 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: Dance (Music inspired by dance forms like Waltz, Tango, Pavane, Sarabande, Rumba, Fandango etc.)

19:15-20:00 Solos and chamber ensembles

We have the following entries (subject to change):

Vince Smith — Partita in A Min by Johann Anton Losy(Logy) Alan Montague — Bosse Triste by Carlo Domeniconi Cari Aplin — Vals Venezolano Nos.3 by Antonio Lauro Paul Hapney — Mrs Taylor’s Galliard by Phillip Rossiter Tony Mullholland — Danza Brasilera by Jorge Morel Andy Warn — Serenades of the Unicorn by Einojuhani Rautavaara Thorben Louw — Gavotte en Rondeau by J.S Bach Thorben Louw and Francisco Correa — La Vida Breve by Manuel da Falla

20:00-20:50 Young Artists Platform

We host Luke Tyrell, of this year’s IGF Young Artist Platform winners, for a short concert. See the programme here

This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

BCGS Concert Series 2025 - Pavel Ralev
2025-03-15 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom

March 2025 Meetup and Wales Guitar Duo
2025-03-13 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme: TV, film, musical, video game themes (arranged or written for guitar)
19:00-19:45 Solos and chamber ensembles
19:45-20:00 Members’ Lightning Talk: Tony Mulholland
“Software Tools for Ensemble Practice”
20:10-21:00 Young Artists Platform
We host one of this year’s IGF Young Artist Platform winners for a short concert. The Wales Guitar Duo (Cai Charles and Oliver Manning) will be performing works by: Domeniconi, Goss, and a preview of a newly commissioned work by David Roche.

This concert is promoted in partnership with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

Programme (download printable programme BCGS WGD programme)
Stephen Goss (b. 1964)Cocktail listBoulevardierNegroniAlabama SlammerVodka MartiniVieux CarréManhattan
Stephen Goss (b.1964)Welsh folk songsDafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock)Lliw Gwyn Rhosyn yr Haf (White rose of Summer)Suo-gân (Lullaby)Hela’r ‘Sgyfarnog (Hunting the hare)Lisa Lân (Fair Lisa)Wrth fynd hefo Deio i Dywyn (As I went with Tom to Tywyn)
David John Roche (b. 1990)Quaver Dreams and Quaver Nightmares[World Premiere Preview: IGF 2024 commission]I. Limited Chordal UniverseII. NOTBACHIII. Aggressive Bicycle Music
Carlo Domeniconi (b.1947)
Fire Brigade On Ice from Circus Music
21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

February 2025 Meetup
2025-02-13 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Tonight’s theme: Renaissance
19:15-19:45 Solos and chamber ensembles 20:00-20:50
Guest Speaker: Sam Brown “Caught Luting: Playing renaissance lute music on the guitar” Sam Brown leads a practical workshop on how to transfer lute music well to the guitar: expect a whistle-stop tour of lute repertory, division playing, ornaments, and right hand hints and tips.
21:00-22:00 BCGS Ensemble Rehearsal

January Meetup and AGM
2025-01-09 19:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Tonight’s theme is:
Celebrating the Slow. (Slow movements and slower pieces)
19:15 – 19:45
Solos and chamber ensembles
19:45 – 20:00
Members’ short talks
20:00-20:50
Ensemble
21:00-22:00 Annual General Meeting
It’s a very exciting AGM — this is is the first one since we officially became a charity last year, and there’s lots to discuss.

If you want to submit any AOB items, please do so at least two weeks before the AGM.

2024 Members' Winter Concert
2024-12-12 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Please come along to support our members! Solo performances, as well as small groups and the large ensemble.

Marco Tamayo - BCGS Concert Series 2024
2024-11-16 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Saint Stephens Church, 21 St Stephen’s Street, Bristol, Bristol, BS1 1EQ, United Kingdom
BCGS CONCERT SERIES 2024
The Bristol Classical Guitar Society is proud to present Cuban guitarist Marco Tamayo.

Programme:

Prelude, Fugue and Allegro BWV 998 – J.S. Bach (arr. M. Tamayo)

Variaciones op. 45, sobre la Folia de España – M. Giuliani

Valse sentimentale op. 51, no. 6 – P.I. Tchaikovsky (arr. M. Tamayo)
Vals op.8 no. 4 – A. Barrios Mangoré

Cappricci XIII and XVII, originally for violin – N. Paganini (arr. M. Tamayo)

— Interval —

Air, 4th movement from the Holberg Suite op. 40 – E. Grieg (arr. M. Tamayo)

Chivo que rompe tambó – Bola de Nieve (Ignacio Jacinto Villa Fernández), arr. M Tamayo

Tarantella – M.C. Tedesco

La Catedral – A. Barrios Mangoré

Bio

Marco Tamayo, a Cuban guitarist with Austrian citizenship, has earned the title “Il Re della Chitarra” (The King of the Guitar) and has maintained an international reputation in all aspects of classical guitar.

Recently appointed Professor of Classical Guitar at the Universität der Künste Berlin (UDK), Tamayo is a winner of more than 25 major international competitions. Notable among these are the International Guitar Competition Michele Pittaluga in Alessandria, Italy, the Andrés Segovia International Guitar Competition in Spain, the Nikita Koshkin International Guitar Competition in Austria, and the Leo Brouwer International Guitar Competition in Havana, Cuba.

As a renowned soloist, Tamayo regularly collaborates with chamber music ensembles, performing a vast and stylistically diverse repertoire. He also serves as a president of jury panels and organises guitar festivals, having gained considerable experience from a young age. More recently, his interest in composition has led him to create new works for the guitar.

Tamayo began playing guitar at the age of three, was hailed as a prodigy at six, and embarked on his first international tour in Europe at just ten years old, performing in Germany (former DDR) and Bulgaria.

His extensive teaching career includes professorships at Sydney University in Australia, the Gustav Mahler Privat Universität in Austria, the Mozarteum University of Arts in Salzburg, Austria, and the Academy of Arts in Gdańsk, Poland. Most recently, he was selected from over 400 applicants to join the UDK Berlin faculty, where his class attracts guitarists from around the world, many of whom have become prominent performers.

Tamayo’s influential book, Essential Principles for the Interpretation on the Classical Guitar, has reshaped classical guitar pedagogy globally.

He has served as the Artistic Director of the Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition since 1999, the year he won the competition, and he founded the Klagenfurt International Guitar Competition and Festival in Austria, which ran until 2020. Tamayo is also an Honorary Citizen of the cities of Solero and Alessandria, Italy.

Currently, Tamayo performs on a guitar built by American luthier Stephen Connor and is a Savarez artist, using Cantiga Premium-Alliance/Blue strings. He is the Chairman of Marco Tamayo Edition, a publishing house he founded in 2014. In 2024, he launched his latest project, Tamayo’s Masterclasses, an online platform designed to share his knowledge through performances and analyses of famous and foundational guitar works.

November 2024 Meetup
2024-11-14 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Early Slot 7.30 – 8.15: Solos
Solos (Optional) theme for the solos this month: Baroque Night

First Session 8.20-9.00pm
Ensemble

Second Session 9.15-10.00pm
Ensemble

October 2024 Meetup and Paul Gregory
2024-10-10 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Early Slot 7.30 – 7.55pm
Solos
(Optional) theme for the solos this month: Music from Spain
First Session 8-9.00pm
Ensemble

Second Session 9.15-10.00pm – Visiting Artist lecture
Visiting Artist: Paul Gregory from Maestoso Music.

Paul’s talk will be:
So what do you really want from a guitar?
A discourse on how instruments differ (old and new) and what they can offer the player, with musical examples.

September 2024 Meetup and Arthur Keegan
2024-09-12 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Early Slot 7.30 – 7.55
Solos
(Optional) theme for the solos this month: 21st century composition
First Session 8-9.00pm
Ensemble

Second Session 9.15-10.00pm: Visiting Artist Performance
Visiting Artist: Arthur Keegan: Wessex songs.
Music for guitar and voice project on poetry by Thomas Hardy.
Arthur is a Bristol-based composer. LPO, BSO Philarmonia commissioned.

Hear the album The Past & I:100 Years of Thomas Hardy on Spotify

Berta Rojas Masterclasses and visit
2024-08-25 10:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Hewish and Puxton Village Hall, Maysgreen Ln, Hewish, Somerset, BS24 6RW, United Kingdom
We’re really excited that Berta Rojas, our society’s Patron, is coming to visit us on 25th August 2024 to meet our members and offer the opportunity for masterclasses on the day!
This year Berta is a guest and concert artist at the West Dean Guitar Summer School near Chichester from 17 – 22 Aug 2024. Additionally, Berta will be giving a concert there on Mon 19 Aug at 8pm. If you wish to see the concert then tickets are available at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westdeansussexevents/1173765.
Unfortunately, we are unable to hold a BCGS concert with Berta this year. However, we are taking advantage of the fact that Berta is in the UK to hold a workshop and masterclasses with members from the BCGS and WAGO on Sunday 25 Aug 2024.
The visit of Berta to BCGS/WAGO will take place at the Hewish & Puxton Village Hall (near Weston-super-Mare and the home of WAGO) on Sunday 25 Aug 2024 from 10am to 4pm. There is easy car access and free parking available at the village hall. Free Wifi is also available.
The timetable for the day is as follows:

10:00 WAGO Workshop
11:15 coffee break
11:45 WAGO workshop
13:00 Lunch (an opportunity to chat to Berta) – a full lunch is only available to WAGO members – drinks and snacks to others will be available.
14:00 BCGS/WAGO Masterclasses (includes a short coffee break)
16:00 Close (the hall is available until 5pm if we get more masterclass
candidates)

BCGS members are invited to attend as a spectator for some or all of the day (including the WAGO workshop), and/or to take part in a Masterclass with Berta. You do not have to consider yourself as a master guitarists to have a masterclass, or have learnt a really challenging piece of music, but you should have something reasonably well prepared whatever the difficulty of the music. Better to think of the masterclass as a short public lesson with a great concert guitarist, than some master performance by yourself.
We also welcome members of the general public as spectators (£10).
There will be a small cost to those who attend, dependent on what part an individual intends to undertake during the day:

To attend all, or some of the day as a spectator, is £10 (includes coffee, tea, snacks etc). This is open to BCGS members, their guests, and the general public.
To play in a 20 min masterclass with Berta £30. If you pay for a masterclass then you will not be charged the £10 to spectate for any other parts of the day. Masterclass slots are only available for WAGO and BCGS members.
You may bring guests with you who are not BCGS members, but they too will need to pay £10 to observe.

If you’d like to attend, either as an audience member or take part in the masterclass, please let
Vince know as soon as possible. He needs to plan the timetable, manage costs, and supply refreshments!
