“Julián Arcas" Winners

With this collection, the organisers of the “Julián Arcas” International Classical Guitar Competition, Cajamar, intends to deal with several issues at once. Firstly, to reward young guitarrists, who have chosen this instrument with which to express their musical sensitivity. The idea being that this recording will become their visiting card, something with which to show their artistic abilities.

Secondly, for Almería it is a duty to help recover the memory and vast heritage the guitar has in the province. The Almerian concert guitarrist and composer; Julián Arcas (1832-1882) is the link between the great guitarrists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries (Fernando Sor y Dionisio Aguado), with Francisco Tárrega. Arcas' works are rich in popular sounds; the first scores of flamenco guitar music were penned by his hand. He also adapted the most popular operas of his time. All of this work was a demonstration of his free and open spirit which must be present in all true creator. However, Almeria 's definitive contribution to the guitar world was the meeting between Arcas and Antonio de Torres, who he encouraged to go into full-time guitar building, and thanks to whose determination we have the classical, or Spanish, guitar as it is known today. This intense bond between Almería and the guitar has been carried on by builders such as the Moya brothers, Gerundino Fernández, who sadly left us in 2006, and nowadays, Juan Miguel González as well as by the guitarrists Luis Soria, Tomatito and more recently, Niño Josele and Juan Francisco Padilla.

These recordings will also help to carry the guitar and its sounds far from the conditions of previous centuries when volume was essential. Today's techniques allow us to capture its nuances in all their beauty, as can be appreciated in this magnificent recording by our Competition's latest winner: Pablo Garibay

To guarantee the quality, both of the sound of the recording as well as its presentation, as in previous years our trust has been placed, once again, in the quality and prestige of the RTVE (Spanish Radio and Television) music label.

Lastly, Cajamar would expressly like to thank the IEA “Institute for Almerian Studies”, of the Almería Provincial Council, for their patronage, as responsible as ever for disseminating the cultural events of the province.