The Nikšić Guitar Fest lived up to expectations and brought a higher dimension

The 18th Nikšić Guitar Festival, which lasted from October 5 to 8, ended with a concert by German guitarist Gerhard Reichenbach. The German guitarist performed compositions by Brahms, Bach, Will - Lobos and Asad, warmed the soul and palms of the audience and showed why he is considered one of the leading classical guitarists in Germany. His concert was also a lesson in music because he made an effort to tell the audience something more about the authors whose works he performed, as well as the compositions he chose for the concert in Nikšić.

Before the concert, he held a master class with students who did not miss the opportunity to attend a lecture by a famous guitarist.

"I am satisfied with the students' knowledge and the level they are at. The tone is good, the repertoire is serious, enviable. In lessons, I try to explain to students that it is always emotions that should move them and that they are the best connection between them, the guitar and the audience," said Reichenbach.

He pointed out that this is the first time he is participating in the Guitar Fest and that it gives him great pleasure to be a guest of the festival, about which he has heard so many praises, and which he has seen for himself.

"The work, the interpretation and the artist…. fantastic. After hearing your playing, I don't worry about the future of the classical guitar," said Viennese professor Konrad Ragosnig, not without reason, when he heard Reichenbach play.

He has been performing as a soloist and with orchestras all over the world for more than 40 years. He maintains a large solo repertoire with more than 35 different programs and a series of guitar concerts. His transcriptions of the music of Scarlatti and especially Bach receive excellent reviews from the profession, which places him in the first rank of Bach interpreters on the guitar.

On the final day of the Guitar Fest, the famous Russian guitar builder Sergey Rusakov gave a presentation on how his instruments are made.

This year's edition of the festival, which, like all previous years, proved to be rightfully considered one of the most respected classical guitar festivals in Europe, was at the expected level - exceptional artists, a select audience, and a new segment announced by the Balkan Soul Festival .

"The premiere edition of the Balkan Soul Festival was really special. It was an evening full of emotions, which was opened by Andrija Milošević with his poetry that touched us all, where we saw the full expression of his emotions and gave homework to the other concert participants to continue in the same rhythm. We are getting messages from various quarters that we have done the right thing. And we really are, because it is a completely unusual festival where we can present a wide range of music and maintain artistic dignity. Festivals usually struggle in the first years to continue their work and to establish themselves. I think that with the premiere we have already left a mark and charted a path in the future, what we will do and what the people of Nikšić will be able to expect", said one of the organizers of the festival, Goran Perišić.

In the coming years, he said, the Balkan Soul Festival will last several days. Only the premiere edition included one concert.

"On the other hand, the Nikšić Guitar Festival confirmed its quality and stability. The last 20 years have been very turbulent times, both for our culture and for everyone. In such times, we formed a festival that showed stability, quality and serious work and dedication. This was demonstrated by the guests this year as well - professors from Germany, Russia and Croatia. The number of students from the entire region who showed up for the master class is enviable. "The festival progresses every year, opens new spaces, sets new boundaries, brings new people and students from the region always leave full of impressions, good friendships, classes and with some new connections for their future and further education," said Perišić.

The guitar festival was organized by the NGO "Anagastum Guitar Society" under the auspices of the Municipality of Nikšić and the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro, with the support of the Nikšić Theater, "Zahumlje" JU and the Music Academy of the University of Montenegro.