BCGS Manuel Barrueco Concert

Legendary guitarist Manuel Barrueco is internationally recognized as one of the most important guitarists of our time. His unique artistry has been continually described as that of a superb instrumentalist and a superior and elegant musician, possessing a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts.

His career has been dedicated to bringing the guitar to the main musical centers of the world and his commitment to contemporary music and to the expansion of the guitar repertoire has led him to collaborations with many distinguished composers.

Manuel Barrueco has appeared on a wide array of television programs including “CBS Sunday Morning,” A&E’s “Breakfast with the Arts,” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” He was featured in a Lexus car commercial, and his work in music inspired Michael Lawrence’s biographical documentary: “Manuel Barrueco: A Gift and a Life.”

Barrueco’s recording of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with conductor and tenor Plácido Domingo was cited as the best recording of that piece in Classic CD Magazine. He received a Grammy nomination for “Best Instrumental Soloist Performance” for his Solo Piazzolla, the first recording to be released on Tonar Music. Sounds of the Americas in collaboration with the Cuarteto Latinoamericano received a Latin Grammy Award for “Inca Dances” by Gabriela Lena Frank. Tárrega! and Medea, which includes Barrueco’s arrangement of the ballet by flamenco guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar, both received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Classical Album.” His latest release is Music from Cuba and Spain.

Manuel Barrueco began playing the guitar at the age of eight in his native Cuba and he immigrated with his family to the United States in 1967 as a political refugee. He completed his advanced studies at the Peabody Conservatory, where he now shares his love for music with a small number of exceptionally gifted young guitarists from all over the world.

Manuel Barrueco is the recipient of the United States Artist Fontanals Fellowship for Artistic Excellence.