Eden Stell Guitar Duo - Mark Eden & Christopher Stell
Tuesday 16th April, 2024 at 7:30pm - See Programme
(Doors and bar open at 7:00pm)
Internationally renowned for their dynamism and innovation, the Eden Stell Guitar Duo have "breathed new life into the
world of the classical guitar" (Rotterdam Dagblad). Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading guitar ensembles,
the duo’s chameleon-like ability to communicate in a multitude of musical styles makes them a constantly evolving
entity with a unique creative voice. Likened to a "miraculous single guitarist blessed with an impossibly wonderful
technique and an exceptionally delicate touch" (The Observer) the Eden Stell Guitar Duo have performed around the
world and regularly tour in USA, China and Europe, appearing on television, radio including the BBC, ITV, European and North American networks.Mark Eden and Christopher Stell began their duo while still teenage undergraduates at the Royal Academy of Music, completing their studies with the Principal’s Prize for Achievement and the Julian Bream Prize. They continued their studies in Brussels with the Brazilian Guitar Duo, Sérgio and Odair Assad with aid from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. The Duo made their debut at London’s Southbank Centre as part of the Park Lane Group’s Young Artists’ Concert Series, soon after winning the South East Musicians’ Platform competition, giving them further concerts including a Wigmore Hall debut. They have since become regulars at London venues, especially Kings Place for music organisations such as "Live Music Now!", the Kirckman Concert Society, Classical Guitar Magazine, and the International Guitar Foundation.
Mark and Chris’ recent engagements have featured performances with the Baden-Baden Philharmonie performing Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concerto Madrigal in the presence of Cecilia Rodrigo, 92&Y New York City, International Festival Changsha China, The Baltic Guitar Festival Lithuania, the Maui Guitar Summer School with Ben Verdery, and the Jüchen Guitar Festival Germany. They have worked with Internationally acclaimed composers Adam Gorb, Dusan Bogdanovic, Laura Snowden, Gary Ryan, and Johannes Moller; but the duo have had a personal association and musical affinity with the composer Stephen Dodgson going back to the beginning of their duo partnership, resulting in a Concertino for two guitars and strings as well as a recordings of Stephen’s music which was Editor’s Choice in Gramophone magazine on release.
The Duo have recorded 7 CDs to date on BSG, Hannsler Classics, and Naxos covering a diverse range of musical projects including baroque keyboard transcriptions of Rameau and Couperin, contemporary Brazilian music, and a multi media CD of music inspired by places around the British Isles. Their most recent recording project, "Cançons i Dansas" (BGS129) features all Federico Mompou’s Songs and Dances, taking over ten years to complete.
"There is real soul in this music and these guys consistently find it in these deeply humane, wonderfully unassuming performances." MusicWeb International. Soon to be released is a CD of Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti adding to a long affinity the Duo have with baroque keyboard masters. As well as creating imaginative arrangements Chris in recent years has also composed new works, many inspired by the music and ancient heritage of Armenia. Mark and Chris enjoy many collaborations and projects including performing regularly as part of the acclaimed Vida Guitar Quartet, (tenor) James Gilchrist, (flautist) Jessica Maria Quinones, outreach with the Jackdaws Educational Music Trust, and artistic directors of both the Winchester Guitar Festival and Dillington Guitar Festival.
Chris and Mark are Associates of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of their musical achievements and both currently teach at the Royal College of Music London, and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The duo are D’Addario strings endorsed artists.
"The (Scarlatti) arrangements work so well. The clarity of the lines remind me of
listening to classic Horowitz piano recordings. It’s a good recording!" Record
Review - BBC Radio 3.
"The fantastic Eden Stell duo manage to extract every gram of essence from this
music and re-present it tastefully and imaginatively" MusicWeb International
"The Eden Stell Duo played to the max!" New York Times
"In every respect the performances and recording are of the highest quality. The
Eden- Stell Duo are one of the best duos around. This is a landmark recording on
the guitar’s map." Gramophone
"... utterly entertaining and absorbing but with a refinement that could also melt
your heart." Classical Guitar Magazine
"Mark and Chris play as brothers." Sérgio Assad - Assad Brothers Guitar Duo
"Mark Eden and Christopher Stell have breathed new life into the world of the
classical guitar ... they do what a whole generation of guitarists haven’t – they
communicate the music first and foremost ... Here is the future of the guitar
music." Rotterdam Dagblad, Netherlands
"Their performance exuded such natural vitality and joy in their skills and
rapport that I was hanging on almost every note ... a riveting experience." The
Independent, London
Tickets (£15 each) should be booked with Peter Burnham, preferably by email to peter.burnham@gmail.com . Alternatively telephone him on 01665 711388. [Please note: I'll have no phone access and limited Internet connection between 31st March and 7th April. Happy to receive emails during that time, but response may be delayed until after 7th April.]