Elbphilharmonie Sessions: Ana Vidovic – Vol. I

When it comes to classical guitar, there is no missing Ana Vidovic. She is one of the most successful guitarists around. Born in Croatia, she has been performing on many of the world’s major concert stages for several years now and her YouTube videos have been watched millions of times.

Ana Vidovic regularly broadens her guitar repertoire with arrangements of both well-known and more obscure works. Ever since she was a child she has loved the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in particular. »We’re so used to hearing Bach performed on the violin, piano or cello, but there’s a distinct quality to experiencing his music on the classical guitar,« she shares. »All the voices come through with great clarity. The bass line is of course crucial, and I think it comes across more beautifully and naturally on the guitar.«

In the first part of her »Elbphilharmonie Session« in the Circle Lounge, she plays the Prélude from Bach’s famous Cello Suite No. 1. Such exquisitely pure and heartfelt music that, when listening, it is as though time stands still.

Influenced by Spanish tradition and at home all over the world: the classical guitar, presented by four young stars of the instrument which is more versatile than almost any other.

Born in a small town near Zagreb in Croatia, Ana Vidovic discovered her love of the guitar at the age of five. By the age of 11 she was already performing internationally and at aged 13 she was accepted to study at the Academy of Music in Zagreb. She is now regarded as »one of today’s brightest classical stars of the six strings,« as the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper wrote.

Guest performances have taken Ana Vidovic all over the world, from Paris and San Francisco to Sydney and Hong Kong. The guitarist captivates her audiences not only with her versatile solo recitals but also performing as a soloist with renowned orchestras.

The peaceful, almost meditative Prélude from the First Cello Suite is one of the most famous solo works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). In chordal breaks, the cello develops more and more voices that interweave several melodic levels. For Ana Vidovic, these different voices come into their own particularly well on the guitar. »The bass line is of course crucial, and I think it comes across more beautifully and naturally on the guitar,« she adds.

The Circle Lounge is located on the 13th floor of the Elbphilharmonie, on the northern side. The spacious sponsors’ lounge stretches over two levels, and has a large bar area with standing tables as well as a lounge area with a variety of seating options. The enormous window facade offers breath-taking views of Hamburg city centre, and an exclusive balcony in the bar area rounds off the experience.

Production:

Jan Stahlmann  Recording & Mixing
Julian Conrad / Pauline Schüler  Camera & Edit

Julika von Werder Production Management