ZORAN DUKIĆ

Zoran Dukić (1969, Zagreb, Croatia) is one of the most prominent classical guitarists of our time. His performances, whether as a soloist or accompanied by an orchestra, leave an indelible mark on audiences and critics.

Between 1990 and 1997, Zoran Dukić won more competitions than any other guitarist in the world. He is the only player to have won two editions of the “Andrés Segòvia” International Guitar Competition, in Granada and Palma de Mallorca. With his surprising mastery of different periods and musical languages he has also won competitions dedicated to Fernando Sor, Manuel Ponce, Manuel de Falla and Francisco Tárrega among others. He obtained the First Prize in the most important competition in Spain, the “Guerrero” Guitar Competition, held in Madrid and favoured by the Royal Family, where he was also awarded the Special Prize for the Best Interpretation of Spanish Music. He was the first foreigner to achieve it. He has won the Audience Award many times, a clear testament to his natural ability to communicate through music.
He has performed in countries on 5 continents and has served as an inspiration to numerous composers. The world premieres of new music demonstrate his admiration for contemporary musical expression. Its programs include works by Takemitsu, Henze, Reily, Carter and Gubaidulina, among many others. He has also made tours dedicated exclusively to Bach programs, performing complete cycles of suites for lute, violin or cello. The work of J.S. Bach remains a fundamental pillar in his musical career.
He has a special affinity with the Spanish and Hispano-American music, an essential part of the classical guitar repertoire. Currently, their programs present a careful and balanced variety of works that include Bach to Britten, Sor to Albéniz, Tàrrega to Villa-Lobos and Brouwer.

His mastery of the guitar is summarised in the following reviews:
“a true artist, a musician whose dimension goes beyond the supreme mastery of the instrument…His virtuosity and volcanic fantasy were about to cause delirium”, CANÀRIES 7, Spain
“…a master of the guitar, shining in moments of virtuosity as well as in the most intimate ones…The sonority created by his instrument is as admirable as his palette of expression and elegance.”, EL NORD, Mexico
“…owner at all times of the instrument, DukiĆ exhibited spectacular virtuosity time and again, while showing great maturity and powerful inspiration.”, IL GAZETTINO, Italy

He graduated from the Music Academy in Zagreb, Croatia, with Darko Petrinjak and completed his studies with Hubert Käppel at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany.

His teaching activity is equally impressive and his teaching work stands out for his enthusiasm and dedication. He has taught at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Croatia, and the School of Music in Aachen, Holland. He is currently a professor at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, Holland. He has educated generations of classical guitarists and his classes are among the most prestigious in Europe. In addition, he regularly gives master classes around the world and is often invited to numerous guitar festivals.

Zoran Dukić is also a very active chamber music performer and one of the founding members of the Cologne Trio. He has recorded for record labels in Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland and Canada.