IGF Young Artist Platform presents classical guitarists, Gus McQuade and Michael Matthew, for a special double bill.

Gus McQuade programme:

J.S Bach (1685-1750)
BWV 997: Prelude & Fugue

Zhenyan Li
The Mist
[IGF La Leona Commission 2022: World Premiere]

De Falla
Homenaje ‘pour Le Tombeau de Debussy’

Rodrigo
En Los Trigales

Classical guitarist Gus McQuade recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, London, with First Class Honours (BMus) and studies there under Professor Michael Lewin on the Masters course funded by a number of scholarships, including a Help Musicians Postgraduate Award and the Drake Calleja Trust. Recent awards include the Timothy Gibson and Blyth Watson Prizes (2022), and runner-up in both the Leicester Music Competition (2022) and the Royal Classics Guitar Concerto Prize (2020). Gus was named joint winner of the Musicians’ Company’s prestigious New Elizabethan Award 2022/23 with his duo partner, Eleanor Grant (singer and double bassist). They made their debut at the Wigmore Hall in February 2023.

Gus has performed in masterclasses with some of the world’s leading guitarists, including David Russell, Fabio Zanon, Roberto Aussel and Xuefei Yang and has regularly featured in the Royal Academy of Music’s concert series. Notable performances include Lorenzo Palomo’s Madrigal y Cinco Canciones Serfadíes (UK premiere) and Sofia Gubaidulina’s Repentance. Gus is passionate about expanding the guitar repertoire and is a keen arranger, writing for both guitar chamber ensemble and solo guitar.

Michael Matthews programme:

Weiss 
Fantasie

J.S. Bach 
Ciaccona BWV 1004 

Schnittke 
Fugue (transcribed by Michael. Matthews)

UK-born Michael Matthews’ flamboyant and expressive performances are placing him at the forefront of the young generation. He has been praised for a rigorous technique alongside his natural creativity by leading figures in the field. He brings a new identity to traditional repertoire as well as verve and dynamism to contemporary and lesser- known works.

Michael has performed in recitals, masterclasses, and competitions across the country and abroad. In 2019-2020 he studied at the Segovia Guitar Academy with Paolo Pegoraro and continues his postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Recent projects include a programme for voice and guitar with soprano Holly Teague, and a commission from composer Martin Bussey. Michael has a keen interest in historical performance and regularly includes performances on the baroque guitar in his recitals.

Michael has received awards from leading trusts, competitions, and organisations in the UK, allowing him to give widespread recitals, masterclasses and outreach projects at Brighton Festival, King’s Lynn Festival, St James’s Church Piccadilly, St George’s Bristol, St Andrews University, and the Wigmore Hall. In 2018 he was selected by the Concordia Foundation and Tillett Trust. Since 2020 his career and studies are supported by Talent Unlimited, Help Musicians UK and the Countess of Munster Trust.

This event will last approximately 50 minutes, without an interval.