Guitar Recital: Virgile Barthe (2026)

Virgile Barthe, winner of the Guitar Foundation of America 2025 competition, presents works from the Baroque to the 21st century, which he performs with impeccable virtuosity and artistry. This recital ranges from arrangements of Domenico Scarlatti's expressive sonatas and Dieterich Buxtehude's brilliant Suite to the lyrical "Songs without Words" by Felix Mendelssohn and the haunting "Music of Memory" by Nicholas Maw. The album closes with Dušan Bogdanović's Third Sonata, a truly virtuoso piece with quotes from Igor Stravinsky and musical influences from the Balkans, jazz and the Renaissance. Virgile Barthe brings together a whole universe of diverse soundscapes and stylistic variety in his extensive program, exploring the versatile character of the classical guitar. This recording includes both transcriptions and original compositions for the guitar and offers an authentic representation of what most listeners expect from a modern concert. Virgile Barthe, known for his masterful technique and deep emotional expression, is a highly talented and innovative classical guitarist whose unique blend of classical tradition and modern interpretation has captivated audiences worldwide. He has participated in and won several international guitar competitions, including first prize and the audience prize at the 2023 Paris Guitar Competition, and, as can be heard on this release, has a broad repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to Romantic and contemporary compositions.