Palau de la Música de Barcelona

The brilliant success of guitarist Fernando Espí is the result of his an innate musical sensitivity, combined with a solid technical grounding. Considered by the classical music press to be ‘one of the greatest Spanish classical guitarists’ (Ritmo), and ‘an emerging new talent...an outstanding guitarist of the new generation’ (Classical Guitar), he has also been situated ‘amongst the most shining interpreters of the six strings’ (Scherzo).

Fernando completed his advanced studies at the Alicante Conservatoire under the tutelage of José Tomás, winning the Extraordinary End-of-Course Prize in 1997. At the same time he took part in various international courses under the supervision of prestigious guitarists such as Manuel Barrueco, David Russell, Carles Trepat, Pavel Steidl and Ignacio Rodes, and he completed postgraduate studies at the Escuela Luthier in Barcelona with Arnaldur Arnalson. He has obtained a professional qualification in Performance in early plucked-string instruments and received lessons from Hopkinson Smith, Rolf Lislevand and Xavier Díaz-Latorre. He is also a graduate in Science and Music History.

Fernando has been a prize-winner at major national and international guitar competitions, including the Jeunesses Musicales of Spain, the Princess Cristina Guitar Competition at the Guerrero Foundation in Madrid, the José Tomás International Guitar Competition of Petrer, the Luys Milán International Guitar Competition of l’Olleria and the Francisco Tárrega Competition of Benicasim.

Fernando’s concert career has taken him all over Spain, performing as a soloist at major festivals such as the Guitar Festival of Córdoba and Music and Dance Granada Festival, and at venues such as the National Auditorium in Madrid, Auditorio Manuel de Falla in Granada and the Palau de la Música in Barcelona where he played the famous Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. He has also played at halls and festivals in more than twenty countries across Europe, America, North of Africa and Asia, collaborating with official entities like the Spanish Cervantes Institute or the UNESCO World Youth Choir.

Fernando combines a busy concert career with teaching masterclasses as part of various guitar courses and festivals. He is also Artistic Director of the International Guitar Festival Ciutat de Xixona and has created his own record label, 6x8. His recordings have received high critical acclaim from the classical music press.

Concert Reviews

          Recording Reviews