Denis Azabagić

Musical background

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, the distinguished Spanish composer, Anton Garcia Abril said, “I am sure that with time, he is going to be one of the greatest guitarists of the world.”

Between 1992 and 1999, Azabagić won twenty-four prizes in international competitions, of which eleven were first prizes. He has written a book published by Mel Bay, On Competitions, based on his experience during these years.

Azabagić has recorded seven CDs for international labels such as Naxos, Cedille, Opera Tres and Orobroy as well as two DVDs for Mel Bay.

As a guest instrumentalist and soloist Azabagić has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, Madrid Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, among others.

He is a regular guest at such venues as Chicago’s Symphony Center, Masters of the Guitar at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Radio France in Paris, Aix-en-Provence Festival, France, El Palau de la Musica, Valencia, Spain, Savannah on Stage, United States, Omni Foundation, USA, Ravinia Festival, USA, National Chang Kai Shek Cultural Center, Taiwan, and the National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China.

Azabagic’s performances have been broadcast live on radio (NPR, WFMT) and television in Asia, Europe and the United States.

His repertoire includes solo and orchestral music from the Baroque era to the present.

Teaching

Denis Azabagic is a much sought after teacher who has given masterclasses at festivals and universities all over the world. He is the head of the guitar department at the prestigious music conservatory, The Chicago College of Performing Arts, at Roosevelt University, and many of his students have gone on to have successful careers of their own as concert artists, journalists, and finalists in The Guitar Foundation of America International Guitar Competition to name a few.