Artister – 2012
Duo Cuenca
José Manuel and Francisco Cuenca Morales, form an exquisite Piano and guitar Duo, considered by the critics/reviews as “unique in the way both instruments melt as one with grand elegance and Fine Touch”. They were born in Puente Genil, Córdova, Spain. As duo they have developed a vast artistic career in Spain, Belgium, Germany, Cuba, The United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, The Slovak Republic, France, The United States, Venezuela, Ukraine, Denmark, Turkey, Italy, Sweden, Lebanon, Syria, Portugal, Switzerland, The Philippines and Japan, performing in prestigious auditoriums such as Carnegie Hall in New York, The National Auditorium in Spain, The Hacettepe and M.E.T.U. Auditoriums in Ankara (Turkey), and also The Andrés Segovia House Museum Auditorium in Linares on its opening night, at The Music Palace (Valencia- Spain) and at The guitar Palace (Japan).
Born in Turkey in 1957 Ahmet Kanneci was recently awarded with the Andrés Segovia Gold Medal by the Andrés Segovia Museum in Linares, Spain. He began his musical studies under Turgay Erdener. During his studies with Julian Byzantine in 1977, his interests turned entirely to the classical guitar. After completing studies in architecture, Mr. Kanneci was awarded a scholarship from the Spanish government to study with Maestro Josè Tomas at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Óscar Esplá de Alicante. He has had the privilege of playing for Venezuelan Maestro Alirio Diaz and receiving his critical acclaim.
On his return to his native country, Ahmet Kanneci founded classical guitar departments in four different conservatories. In 1993, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for research in the USA for which he received a Life Time Achievement in Art award. Other awards he has received include many honorary doctorates from prestigious universities. In addition to his native country Turkey, he has toured in Europe, Asia, and in Americas playing concerts at prestigious venues such as Museo Andrés Segovia (Spain), Carnegie Hall and Merkin Concert Hall (USA), Royal Festival Hall (UK) and Teatro Colón (Argentina). He has collaborated in duo recitals with Victor Pikaizen, Jorge Cardoso, Dorothy Randolph, Sefika Kutluer, Hiroki Terashima, and Ataol Behramoglu (poet). He appeared as soloist with orchestras in several guitar concertos. His many recordings, including “Italian Baroque Music,” “Anatolian Pieces,” Popular Classics,”were produced by Sony, and BMG.