About Simon

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Education.....

MMus (Distinction), RSAMD, 2003

PGDipMus, RSAMD, 2002

BMus Hons (1st class), Napier University, 2001

Fabio Zanon, private tuition, London, 2003-5

 

 

Study with Simon in Edinburgh at.....

Napier University (degree level)

Stevenson College (degree foundation, HND)

St Mary's Music School (Scotland's independent specialist music school, ages 9-19)

 

Simon was recently appointed Honorary Fellow of Music at the University of Aberdeen.

 

 

Solo performance highlights.....

 

Brooks Concert Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA,  April 2009;

 

Festival recitals in Las Alpujarras, Andalucía, Spain, 2009;

 

2008, nomination for a Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award, the highest recognition for live classical music-making in the UK;

 

2007, tour of innovative solo programme The Alternative Guitar, including the premiere of Kenneth Dempster's Sanctum at the Queens Hall, Edinburgh, for the Edinburgh Contemporary Arts Trust (ECAT), Musica Nova Festival,  Glasgow and Sound Festival, Aberdeen;

 

Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, London, as a winner of the 50th Park Lane Group Young Artist Awards, including the premiere of David Fennessy's Security Blanket for solo guitar (2006);

 

series of concerts in Havana, Cuba, for audiences that included Ramon Castro, brother of Fidel and Cuba’s greatest composer Leo Brouwer as well as on live TV;

 

Venezuelan Embassy, London;

 

Dundee, Shetland and Ullapool Guitar Festivals;

 

Simon was a member of the Yehudi Menuhin founded Live Music Now! scheme from 2002-7, providing countless performing opportunities.

 

 

Chamber music.....

 

Simon Thacker and the Nava Rasa Ensemble

 

duo with All Angels' Daisy Chute;

 

Camerata Ritmata;

 

¡Canto vivo! with opera star Claire Debono;

 

Edinburgh International Festival, Usher Hall,  with the Paragon Ensemble, broadcast on BBC Radio 3;

 

Scottish tour, including an appearance at the St Magnus Festival, with the Hebrides Ensemble;

 

quintets with the Edinburgh Quartet;

 

tour of Scotland and CD release with the Dundee Guitar Festival YGR Quartet

 

 

 

Concerto performances.....

Guitar Concerto, Heitor Villa-Lobos: Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra, 2008

Mary's Lament, Kenneth Dempster (written for and premiered by Simon Thacker): Queens Hall, Edinburgh 2001; Peebles Orchestra 2005

Concerto RV93, A. Vivaldi: Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra, 2004; Peebles Orchestra, 2005

Concerto in A, op.30, Mauro Giuliani: Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra 2004, 2005

Concierto de Aranjuez, Joaquin Rodrigo: Glasgow Orchestral Society, 2004

Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre, Joaquin Rodrigo: Tayside Symphony Orchestra, 2005; Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra, 2006

Guitar Concerto no.1, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra, 2009

 

 

Solo reviews.....

***** Scotsman review of The Alternative Guitar premiere performance at the Queens Hall, Edinburgh here

 

Scotsman review of October 2006 Edinburgh solo concert here

 

Classical Guitar Magazine review of the Park Lane Group London Purcell Room solo concert here

 

The Alternative Guitar, Aberdeen University review here

 

 

Press quotes.....

"A stylish and sophisticated player"

The Scotsman

 

"showed real poise... a lovely crystalline clarity."

Classical Guitar

 

"the supremely accomplished Simon Thacker"

The Scotsman

 

"Up close guitar magic."

The List

 

"One of the UK's leading classical guitarists."

Glasgow Herald

 

"a guitarist of accomplishment."

The Scotsman

 

"colourful performances"

The Times (of London)

 

"A glittering display of classical guitar playing."

 Dundee Courier

 

"inspired guitar playing."

edinburghguide.com

 

"formidable technique"

The Scotsman

 

An interview with Simon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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