Martin Fogel is one of the most prominent guitarists to emerge from Sweden in recent years; he has received great critical acclaim for his artistry in Swedish, UK and Japanese press: “a Swedish genius” (CD Journal, Japan), “exudes easy charm” (Classical Music, UK), “sheer magic” (Classical Guitar Magazine, UK). He is a leading proponent of the guitar music of Toru Takemitsu – the Tokyo release concert of the complete solo works album was in the attendance of Takemitsu’s family – and he was recently honoured with the award of becoming an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM), in London. As well as touring extensively in his home country, he regularly performs in England, Japan and Europe. He first appeared on Swedish national TV at the age of 18, and has since given live broadcasts as well as interviews on both national TV and radio. A graduate from both the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Gothenburg School of Music, Martin went on to become a prize winner in several, major national and international competitions, including the Royal Swedish Academy of Music’s Scholarship Awards, the Tokyo International Guitar Competition and the Toru Takemitsu Competition in Finland. He has performed at the Stockholm Concert Hall and at music festivals across Sweden and has appeared at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. He has toured in all parts of Japan including at venues such as the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Recital Hall, and has performed the guitar concertos of Takemitsu and Giuliani with the Turku Symphony Orchestra in Finland. Martin is the artistic director of Lidköping Music Festival, which is now in its 22nd year.
His debut-CD “SHENANDOAH” was selected “CD of the month” in Japan’s major CD magazine for classical music, and was lauded by the world’s leading guitar magazines. A live concert recording by Swedish Radio P2 was selected for BBC Radio 3’s “Euroclassic Notturno” and broadcasted in 11 European countries. The second album “IMAGE” received a “Best selection of the Month” in CD Journal, Japan’s major CD magazine. The new CD “EQUINOX” – the complete works for guitar by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, recently received praise in CD Journal, Japan and Classical Music UK.
Recent events include another tour of Japan, concerts and festival appearances in Sweden, Finland and England, a tour of Estonia, master classes and lectures at the Estonian Academy of Music, Leeds College of Music, and Turku Conservatoire. Martin is a teacher of guitar at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Junior Trinity.
Reviews
“a Swedish genius … the clear, beautiful sounds of the performance conveys a “modernity” full of intrinsic warmth”
CD Journal, Japan
“He allies rich, smooth colour with crisp phrasing … exudes easy charm”
Classical Music, UK
“sheer magic… certainly one of the best solo guitar recordings to come my way in a long time”
Classical Guitar Magazine, UK
“beautiful sound … lyric, imaginative performances … marvellous musicality”
CD Journal, Japan
“convincing and passionate … large and powerful … majestic and superb”
Il Fronimo, Italy
“Martin Fogel showed his remarkable skills in all fields of music-making … Rock-solid virtuosity.”
Turun Sanomat, Finland
“Unbelievable – he conveys a complete artistry … a performance of the highest calibre”
Gendai Guitar Magazine, Japan
“… at the same time magnificent and delicate.”
Record Geijutsu, Japan