Denis Azabagic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), is one of the most compelling classical guitarists on the international concert circuit today. He performs concerts around the globe, maintaining a balance between his solo recitals, chamber music with the Cavatina Duo, and engagements as soloist with orchestras.
Critics are raving:
“The recital by Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic, was certainly the finest guitar recital that I have heard in a lifetime of concert-going, and one of the best concerts of any kind I have heard” NC Arts Journal
“...And once he started playing his guitar he became ageless. One couldn't imagine where the man, the instrument and the music separated, if at all.”
Los Angeles Valley Star
“Azabagic’s playing is virtually flawless and his technical facility is a joy to see as well as hear; increasingly I hear him mentioned in the same breath as John Williams, and while such comparisons are invidious, this one is not without merit”
Soundboard Magazine, USA
Azabagic’s flawless performances have set a standard for the new generation of guitar players. He has won twenty-four prizes in international competitions and Mel Bay has published a book based on his experience and insights on the subject of competitions.
Azabagic has recorded 12 CDs for international labels such as Naxos, Cedille, Opera Tres, Bridge records and Orobroy, as well as two DVDs for the Mel Bay Company. His recordings and live performances are highly praised by music critics, for his elegant approach to music and his unique way of communicating and reaching the audiences’ hearts.
As a guest instrumentalist and soloist Azabagic has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, Madrid Symphony, Traverse Symphony, Monterrey Symphony, L’Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Mons, among many others. He has also collaborated with the Casals Quartet, Civitas Ensemble and Music Now members in Chicago.
Azabagic has performed at such venues as Chicago’s Symphony Center; the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; Radio France in Paris; Aix-en-Provence Festival; France; El Palau de la Musica in Valencia, Spain; Savannah on Stage; Omni Foundation (San Francisco); Ravinia Festival; National Chang Kai Shek Cultural Center, Taiwan; and the the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China. Azabagic’s performances have been broadcast live on NPR and WFMT radio, and on television in Asia, Europe and the United States.
His repertoire includes solo and orchestral music from the Baroque era to the present. As half of the active Cavatina Duo (with Eugenia Moliner, flute), he has performed a vast repertoire including many works written expressly for the duo.
Azabagic’s love for performing extends to sharing with others his knowledge of music making. He frequently offers master classes while on tour, teaches at the University of Illinois and also leads the guitar Department at Musical Arts Madrid in Spain. He was the head of the guitar department at Roosevelt University in Chicago from 2003 till 2023.
Highlights of his upcoming season include concerts tours in the US, Canada, Spain, Denmark, etc…With the Cavatina Duo he will release a new CD entitled the Sephardic Journey, featuring new commissioned music based on old Sephardic melodies.
Denis Azabagic uses D'Addario strings and plays with Connor and Humphrey guitars.
www.Azabagic.com