Heike Matthiesen, guitar

Heike Matthiesen is one of Germany’s leading guitarists whose virtuosity and spirited performance, coupled with a charismatic stage presence, are regularly highlighted by the press.

Born in Braunschweig, she received comprehensive musical training on the piano at an early age and only took up the guitar when she was 18. About a year later, she started studying at the Frankfurt Conservatory. Pepe Romero, who taught her for several years, was the formative influence on her playing.

In addition, she attended a large number of master classes, inter alia with Manuel Barrueco, David Russel, Roland Dyens, Alvaro Pierri and Leo Brouwer.

Apart from her solo commitments, Heike Matthiesen regularly performs with chamber music ensembles, and since 1997 she has been closely affiliated with Villa Musica Mainz. She has appeared with Los Romeros and, in 2005, recorded a CD with the Spanish Art Guitar Quartet ("Bolero", NCA).

Heike Matthiesen has performed in many different countries, including the US, Russia, Japan, China, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Austria and Bulgaria, and is a very welcome guest at festivals and in guitar concert series.

She has had two recordings with Tyrolis, on "Sol y luna" with a Spanish-South American repertoire and "Tristemusette", an internationally acclaimed portrait of Roland Dyens.

The next recording is scheduled for 2009.

What the papers say:-

Charismatic guitarist creates romantic soul images. (Frankfurter Neue Presse)

… stupendous technical virtuosity ... high tension performance with a dense, intimate beauty (FAZ)

… very aware of tone and sound but also played with immense esprit and technical and creative power (Burghausener Anzeiger)

With a lot of feeling and spirit … ingenious interpretation (Rheinzeitung)

Enchanting tones

With charm and a sense of humour … played with an airy and racy lightness (Rheinpfalz)

WONDERFUL (WAZ)

Charm, esprit and dexterity (Hofer Anzeiger)