Considered among the elite generation of young players today, Denis Azabagic holds more then 20 awards from international competitions. In 1993, at the age of 20, he became the youngest winner of one of the most prestigious International Guitar Competitions "Jacinto e Inocencio Guerrero," in Madrid, Spain. After listening to Azabagic, distinguished Spanish composer, Anton Garcia Abril said, "I am sure that, with time, he is going to be one of the greatest guitarists in the world."
Since his success in Madrid, Mr. Azabagic has achieved a prize-winning position in virtually every competition in which he has participated. Here are but a few of the most important ones in which he won 1st prize: International Guitar Festival, Germany; International Guitar Competition "Rene Bartoli," France; International Guitar Competition "Francisco Tarrega," (1st prize, special prize for the best interpretation of the works of Francisco Tarrega and Public Prize), Spain; International Guitar Competition "Manufacturas Alhambra," Spain; International Guitar Competition "Printemps de la Guitarre," Belgium; International Guitar Foundation of America Competition, USA; Schadt String Competition, USA; Stotsenberg International Guitar Competition, USA.
Mr. Azabagic has recorded six CDs for international labels such as Opera Tres, Printemps de la Guitarre and Naxos, as well as a video for Mel Bay Company. Future projects with Mel Bay include instructional videos and a book about his experience in competitions, to be published both in English and Spanish.
As a soloist, Mr. Azabagic has appeared in the US with the Allentown Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and Savannah Symphony. In Europe he played with Orchestre Royal de chambre de Mons and Symphony Orchestra of Madrid, among others. He was a guest performer at several venues such as Masters of the Guitar at the Royal Concertgebouw in the Netherlands; Radio France and the Aix-en-Provence Festival in France; El Palau de la Musica in Spain; and Savannah on Stage and the Omni Foundation in the U.S.
Mr. Azabagic and flutist Eugenia Moliner established “Cavatina Duo” as one of the most impressive duo combinations of its kind. Already internationally acclaimed, they have toured extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. Their interpretation of Piazzolla has been praised as “stunning, fascinating and spectacular.” As the American Record Guide said, "This is not the sort of playing that comes from discussion and careful score markings. These two feel the music deeply and are of one mind as they play."
In addition to his performing duties, Mr. Azabagic was recently appointed a member of the guitar faculty at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Denis Azabagic