Music
Press
The following are excerpts from a review which appeared in Classical Guitar Magazine in September this year.
"This Australian born guitarist certainly has a formidable technique, he dispatches the world premiere recording of Irish born Frank Lyons Mnemonics with a consummate ease that belies it's incredible difficulty."
"Bach's Chaconne bears comparison with the best version I have come across"
"Koyunbaba is another finely controlled performance that proves what a great musician Banks is."
"A fine CD of huge musical contrasts which anyone who appreciates good guitar playing will get immense pleasure from."
Chris Dumigan September '06
- Classical Guitar Magazine
‘A Guitarist of truly outstanding ability…breathtaking…without a doubt a distinguished new talent” Paul Fowles Classical Guitar Magazine 2002 - Classical GUitar Magazine
Excerpt from a review of Alan Banks recent performance of Castelnuovo Tedesco's Concerto in D. Published in "The West Australian", November 21, 2006.
"Far and away the most satisfying offering was Alan Banks' account of the solo part of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Guitar Concerto No 1.
Nimble, assured, carefully pitched and cleanly phrased Banks' playing was a model of it's kind. Not least in the finely crafted cadenza of the final movement"
Neville Cohn The West Australian
- The West Australian
"(Alan Banks) has made the transition from talented young guitarist to a mature and commanding soloist"
"Banks' Chaconne, like all the best versions, seemed to last only a fraction of it's twelve minutes"
"Richard Charlton...has found himself a fine ambassador in Alan Banks" - Classical Guitar Magazine
Discography
Mnemonics released 2005
"A fine CD of huge musical contrasts which anyone who appreciates good guitar playing will get immense pleasure from." Classical Guitar Magazine (2006)
Last Drinks in Derry" released 2008
"demonstrates a to-die-for technique coupled with a ferocious musical imagination that seems to know no bounds"
Photos
Bio
Alan Banks
Classical Guitar Magazine (UK) describes Alan Banks as
a guitarist of truly outstanding ability...breathtaking without a doubt a distinguished new talent (2001)
A mature and commanding soloist Compelling(2004)
A great musician (2006)
Following undergraduate studies in Australia Alan went on to study under Carlos Bonell at Londons prestigious Royal College of Music where he was the only guitarist accepted for post-graduate studies that year. He has now established a reputation internationally as one of the guitar worlds brightest young talents. He is widely regarded by his contemporaries as one of Australias top guitarists with several composers including Frank Lyons and Richard Charlton, writing new works for Alan to perform.
Alan performs extensively around the world giving recitals in France, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Portugal including a stunning London debut at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.
He has made many radio and TV appearances both in Australia and overseas including live broadcasts and recordings with ABC FM and recordings for BBC Radio 3, the UKs premiere classical music station.
Currently based in Perth, Alan is a regular visitor to the UK and Europe where he has been an invited guest at numerous of festivals including the Musicora Festival (Paris) City of Derry International Guitar Festival, and the Sonorities Contemporary Music Festival, Northern Ireland.
Alan is also a popular guest at WA Festivals performong at the Totally Huge New Music Festival, Perth International Arts Festival (Fringe Festival) and Fairbridge festival to name a few.
He is a sought after soloist both nationally and internationally performing with the Western Australian, Croyden, Darwin, Fremantle and Ulster Symphony orchestras amongst others. His 2003 recording of Peter Scullthorpes Nourlangie, with the Ulster Orchestra, is showcased regularly on BBC radio 3.
An enthusiastic teacher Alan has acted as artist in residence at universities and festivals in Australia and overseas, presenting workshops, lectures and master-classes. He is currently a lecturer in Guitar at the University of Western Australia.
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