Guitar festival of J. K. Mertz is one of the most important events on the Slovak classical music festival scene and one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
The 49th edition builds on a long tradition and the successes recorded in recent years. It will host artists from Spain, Venezuela, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. From 22 to 26 June, the classical guitar will be played solo and in combination with string quartet, vocals, flute and percussion in attractive programmes of different periods. In the beautiful concert spaces of the historic centre, Moyzes Hall and the Klarisky Church, there will be no shortage of lively Spanish music and inspiring compositions by Slovak composers.
BRATISLAVA GUITAR QUARTET celebrates 30 years of its existence this year. Their new concert programme, which will be performed on Sunday 22 June in Moyzes Hall, is the result of a collaboration with the ensemble's musical friends – composers, arrangers and performers. Various combinations, top Slovak and foreign artists and especially 5 world premieres of Slovak, Greek and Latin-American music is undoubtedly an ideal way to celebrate the jubilee.
Chamber music, and especially its duet form, has accompanied guitar literature since the 19th century. On Monday, 23 June, in the Klarisky Concert Hall, the guitar and flute duo of top Czech musicians Jan TULÁČEK and Karel VALTER in the music of early Romanticism will be followed by modern arrangements of the music by J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart or the world premiere of the Slovak composer Peter Javorka in the debut of the Slovak-Hungarian guitar duo Karol SAMUELČÍK and András CSÁKI.
Lute player and guitarist Xavier DÍAZ LATORRE performs with some of today’s most important baroque ensembles, including Jordi Savall's Le Concert des Nations. His chamber project Laberintos Ingeniosos presents variations on folk themes in the form of Neapolitan tarantellas, Spanish sarabandes and other European court dances, united by a unique rasgueado style to Klarisky on Tuesday 24 June. Baroque guitar in the project is artfully complemented by David MAYORAL on a rich line-up of percussion instruments.
On Wednesday 25 June you can look forward to two interesting concert programmes. First will be a varied programme from the classical guitar repertoire performed by the multiple winner of prestigious competitions, the rising star Andrzej GRYGIER at 5 pm. This will be followed by a unique musical and poetic project with works by Franz Schubert and J. K. Mertz at 7 pm in the magical space of the Klarisky Church. Phenomenal soprano Simona HOUDA ŠATUROVÁ, guitarist Martin KRAJČO and charismatic reciter Štefan BUČKO will delight with a programme that reflects the true nature of the Romantic movement of the first half of the 19th century.
The emotive musical expression and amazing technique of the phenomenal guitarist and native of Málaga, who will close the 49th edition of the festival on Thursday 26 June, was also praised by the famous composer Joaquín Rodrigo. Marco SOCÍAS has been tirelessly dedicated to Spanish music and his current project brings the graceful music of a powerful generation of the early 20th-century composers on the original instruments of famous guitar makers.
The festival also includes a rich accompanying programme (masterclasses, lectures, presentations), designed for both the professional and the general public.
TICKETS are available in the TICKETPORTAL presale and always one hour before the concert at the venue.
The event is part of the Bratislava Cultural Summer 2025.
Organier of the event: SPOLOČNOSŤ J.K. MERTZA - občianske združenie, sídlo: Rozvodná 11B, 83101 Bratislava, IČO: 42131570, DIČ: 2022558208, kontakt: +421 903 951 618, mail: festival.jkmertz.info@gmail.com
Co-organiser of the event: Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre.
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Supported using public funding by Slovak Arts Council - the main partner of the festival.
The event is supported by Bratislava Self-governing Region, the City of Bratislava,Acción Cultural Española Embassy of Spain in Slovakia, Music Fund Slovakia, SOZA Social and Cultural Fund, Polish Institute Bratislava and other partners.
Educational activities are taking place in cooperation with the Július Kowalski Primary music school and Albrechtorum, o.z.
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J. K. Mertz Gitarrenfestival findet seit 1976 in Bratislava statt. Ihr Gründer und langjähriger Direktor ist Prof. Jozef Zsapka, und seit mehr als vier Jahrzehnten beherbergt das Festival Dutzende von Gitarristen, Musikern und Kammermusikensembles aus der Slowakei und der ganzen Welt. Zunächst unter dem Namen "Tage der Gitarrenmusik", später als "Internationales Gitarrenfestival von Johann Kaspar Mertz" und "Internationales Gitarrenfestival von J. K. Mertz" ist traditionell mit dem Beginn des jährlichen Bratislavaer Kultursommers verbunden.
Etwas aus der jüngeren Geschichte unseres Festivals:
Die ersten 40 Jahre unseres Festivals in Bildern:
