David Tanenbaum: Personal Reviews and Recommendations

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"I have never heard such a skillful and musically moving performance, and such mastery."

Hans Werner Henze

"Consistent artistry of the highest level, finding something new in each performance."

Robert Joffrey

"I wanted to write right away to tell you how beautifully and sensitively you played my piece. Bravo!! ...everything felt right!"

William Bolcom

"It is my opinion that Mr. Tanenbaum is one of the very best and most interesting guitarists before the public today.

Served by a fine technique, his developed musicianship is at the service of one of the most exquisite sensitivities I have ever encountered."

Manuel Barrueco

"I must say nothing would make me happier than to create a very wonderful piece for you...I greatly admire your work."

Terry Riley

"(David Tanenbaum's) recital was unforgettable and it's great to see how far talent, discipline, intelligence, love and a good instrument can reach!"

Oscar Ghiglia

"..one of the most brilliant young concert guitarists on the musical scene today."

Aaron Shearer, North Carolina School of the Arts

"David Tanenbaum is, in my opinion, one of the finest guitarists of our time. ...great musicians who play the guitar are rare indeed. But that is exactly what David is. At home in music of a vast variety of periods and styles, David is a musician's musician. While a leader in the performance of new music, he is thoroughly conversant in Baroque and Renaissance performance practices and is able to give thoroughly engaging performances of those repertories as well."

Paul O'Dette

"David Tanenbaum is one of the world's premiere guitarists...David is a first-rate musician and an exciting performer. His concerts, whether solo or chamber music, are musical to the core and technically dazzling."

Thomas Patterson, University of Arizona

"As a performer, Mr. Tanenbaum is a consummate artist. His technique is flawless and his musicianship has always been profound. He goes to the heart of every composition and creates works of art that ebb and flow in the composer's voice. He has proven his profound understanding of music again and again on the most important guitar repertoire this century has produced, as well as the great works from past centuries. His understanding of each score, coupled with his commanding technique, allow him to communicate with his audience in the most direct fashion that I have experienced. He is also a performer of great fire and passion. His performances have always been electrifying and memorable...He is the single most instructive and constructive teacher I have ever seen."

Bryan Johanson, Portland State University

"...an extraordinarily talented guitarist and pedagogue. His knowledge of guitar and lute repertoire is vast, yet what sets him apart from most other guitarists is his deep understanding and love of western art music in general. There have been times when I have left his performances in wonderment; this is not only as person who plays all the right notes but someone who also understands the deeper rhetoric and architecture of a composition...The only person who has taught and performed at my festival every year is David Tanenbaum."

Richard Savino, Sacramento State University

"As a performer he is unquestionably one of the foremost concert artists in the United States. He is the possessor of a formidable technique as well as a keen musical instinct which enables him to interpret anything he plays in a most convincing manner. He is at home playing music of any style ranging from the Renaissance to the most demanding contemporary compositions. His performances are uniformly flawless technically and musically very satisfying."

James Reid, University of Idaho

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