Hubert Käppel
I believe it was in 1978 when my colleague and dear friend Pascal Bolbach told me about a guitarist from Scotland whom he considered one of the very best of our generation. A year later, I met David Russell in person at the legendary Esztergom Guitar Festival in Hungary—likely the largest and most prestigious guitar festival in the world at the time.
From that moment on, we became friends, crossing paths many times at festivals around the world. From the very first time I heard him play, I was deeply struck by his intelligent musicianship and, of course, his technical mastery. I remember clearly—after hearing at least three of his recitals—thinking (and I still believe to this day) that these were the finest guitar performances I had ever witnessed. His musical insight was unparalleled, not to mention his flawless technique.
Beyond his artistry, David’s personality and warmth have always left a lasting impression on me. His kindness and humility continue to inspire me.
Dear David, I am truly honored to call you both a friend and a colleague. It brings me great joy to celebrate 46 years of friendship and music by your side.
From my heart huge congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award and I wish you many more wonderful years to come especially as a musician!
Hubert Käppel
Jim D´Addario
Pavel Steidl
I could not afford to pay for the masterclass, because the life of a refugee was not easy in that time.
The few pieces of advice he gave me in that evening opened up other dimensions in my guitar world.
Thank you for your generosity and friendship.
Thank you, David, and thank you, Maria.
With love,
Pavel
Luis Orlandini
Estimado David
Muchísimas gracias por todo lo que has hecho por ennoblecer a la guitarra en el mundo musical. Tu contribución ha sido muy grande y estamos todos muy agradecidos y contentos de aquello.
Que sigas teniendo una larga vida plena de realizaciones.
Un abrazo
Luis Orlandini
Kristina Vårlid
En stor gratulasjon til David Russell for hans enestående bidrag til den klassiske gitarverdenen – både gjennom sitt spill og sin varme personlighet. Jeg føler meg privilegert som får leve i samme tid som en så inspirerende legende. Han er, og vil alltid være, et tidløst forbilde og en kilde til dyp inspirasjon.
Kristina Vårlid
Tilman Hoppstock
Dear David,
It gives me great pleasure to take this opportunity to congratulate you on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Koblenz International Guitar Academy. I am convinced that all of your colleagues around the world will be delighted to honour you with this award, as you have influenced and shaped generations of guitarists with your playing. But it's not just your interpretations, that unmistakable noble sound and your charisma on stage - everything together characterises you as an exceptional artist - I have always admired the fact that you have remained likeable, open, accessible and modest as a person. In my view, a great personality is a person who, in addition to his fame as a performing artist, is also able to share the concerns and problems of other people. All the students you teach at masterclasses love you! And it is another skill and art how you - besides your expertise - in your incomparable way make everyone feel like a better artist. I think that this deep empathy characterises you in particular and is also reflected in your charitable commitment. There is of course so much more to write, but I think all these things will be honoured at the ceremony. Once again, I would like to express my deep admiration for your life's work and wish us all that you - together with your wonderful wife Maria - will accompany us for many years to come...as an artist and as a person,
Tilman
Štěpán Rak
Dear David, on the occasion of your significant award, I want to remind you of the importance of your great namesake - the biblical King David. He was given a great gift - to heal and cure through the power of music. And you, like him, have been doing the same thing for decades - your guitar not only heals and cures, but also inspires. For millions of young people around the world, it was you and your magical playing that made them decide to follow in your footsteps. And for that, I thank You and admire You very much. And that's why my song, "Song for King David," belongs to you as well. Thank you, Stepan.
Rafael Padrón
Sin lugar a dudas, David es una leyenda viva de la guitarra clásica.
Su extraordinaria trayectoria como intérprete, así como sus invaluables aportes al instrumento, lo consolidan como uno de los más grandes exponentes en la historia de la guitarra.
Además de ser un referente artístico indiscutible, David es también un ser humano excepcional.
¡Gracias, David Russell, por tanto!
Rafael Padrón
Margarita Escarpa
Querido David:
Siempre es una alegría tener ocasiones para expresar públicamente mi gratitud por tu cariño y dedicación a la guitarra: Es inspirador tu compromiso con los estudiantes, tu entusiasmo, tu continuo crecimiento como guitarrista y como músico, y desde luego eres un ejemplo de humanidad y compromiso con los más desfavorecidos. ¡Qué suerte tenemos los que te tenemos cerca! Graciñas por todo lo que nos has dado, nos das y nos darás.
Marga
Dale Kavanagh
I have known David Russell since 1982, where he regularly performed and taught in Toronto. Since then, our paths have constantly crossed. Meeting over and over again all over the world at many festivals. David is without question, one of the greatest artist of our times. He, with is wife Maria, are also, 2 of the most thoughtful and caring people of our guitar world, always spreading a positive energy, wherever they go. A big congratulations to
Dale Kavanagh
Evangelina Mascardi
Estas breves palabras son para agradecer a un músico como David Russell ya que através de su arte restituye a la guitarra su natural nobleza. Gracias!
Evangelina Mascardi
Günter M. Schillings
Lieber David,
Du wirst dieses Jahr den Preis der Koblenz International Guitar Academy für Dein Lebenswerk erhalten - ... und, ist es ein Zufall, daß unser diesjähriger Festivalbeginn mit Deinem Geburtstag zusammenfällt?
Wir kennen uns nun schon seit vielen Jahren und Du warst mir immer ein Mensch, dem der persönliche Kontakt mit Deinen Mitmenschen, die hilfreiche Hand und liebevolle Art im Umgang mit Deinen Studenten, Dein soziales Engagement - auch und insbesondere zusammen mit Deiner lieben Frau Maria - und natürlich Deine Musik eine tiefe Herzensangelegenheit ist. Aniello hat mir mal einen Satz geschrieben, der auf Dich als Künstler von höchstem Rang und menschlicher Noblesse besser nicht passen könnte: "Se durante il percorso della nostra vita la Musica incontra L’ Amore, allora nasce l’arte!!" Bravo, David bravissimo!
Big hugs and congratulations for a great human!
Günter
Alfred Eickholt
Ich traf David Russell bereits vor mehr als 40 Jahren zum ersten Mal, als er als junger Künstler anlässlich eines Festivals in Cordoba ein schon damals sehr eindrucksvolles Konzert gab. Seit dieser Zeit sind wir uns immer wieder auf Festivals begegnet, und so lernte ich einen außergewöhnlichen Künstler und Menschen etwas näher kennen.
In dieser langen Zeit hörte ich zahlreiche seiner Konzerte, die seine tiefe Auseinander-setzung mit den Werken widerspiegelten und seine an Fantasie so reichen Gedanken zur Interpretation zeigten, die er auf der Basis einer höchst anspruchsvollen Instrumentaltechnik realisierte.
Aber nicht nur auf dem Podium, sondern auch in seinen Masterclasses, denen ich so manches Mal zuhören konnte, bewies er seine überragende künstlerische Qualität und die damit einhergehende profunde Bildung. Dabei war es ihm wichtig, vor dem Hintergrund des Werkes das aufzuspüren, was junge Talente mit dem Stück zu verbinden wussten und was ihre Idee des Stückes sein oder werden sollte. Auch zu instrumentaltechnischen Problemen hatte er immer ein großes Repertoire an Lösungs- und Verbesserungsvor-schlägen parat. Kritik, die er präzise und klar, aber immer sehr behutsam zu formulieren wusste, war stets sachlich und konstruktiv; mit großem Respekt vor dem jeweiligen Schüler oder Studierenden und hoher Empathie. Nie war es ihm daran gelegen, sich selbst in den Vordergrund zu rücken, oder gar diejenigen, die vor ihm saßen belehrend zu beschämen.
Seine humorvolle, lockere und unprätentiöse Art hat ihm bei allen Menschen, die ihn kennenlernen durften, viele Sympathien eingetragen. Wie auch die langjährige, gemein-sam mit seiner Frau Maria wahrgenommene Unterstützung humanitärer Projekte, seine Menschlichkeit, Fürsorge und Verantwortung für zentrale gesellschaftliche Probleme dokumentiert.
Seine künstlerischen Verdienste und Erfolge sowie seine zahlreichen internationalen Ehrungen und Preise hier anzuführen, würde jeden Rahmen sprengen. Mit David Russell vertritt ein großartiger Mensch und Künstler mit Fantasie und Inspiration, mit Engagement und ethischen Grundsätzen unser Instrument und seine Musik international als ganz besonderer „Botschafter“. Damit hat er den Ruf der Gitarre in der Musikwelt deutlich sichtbar geprägt, ja „geadelt“
Alfred EickholtStephen Goss
David the artist is a magician on stage and in the recording studio. His playing has moved, entertained, and flabbergasted us for more than half a century. His early Lauro and 19th Century albums brought many now canonical works to our attention for the first time. His programmes always include some music by living composers, much of it commissioned by David himself. He has quietly transformed our repertoire, without fuss or fanfare.
David the spreader of wisdom is the exemplarily masterclass teacher. He has an uncanny ability to quickly assess what the most useful and lasting advice is that he can give to a student in a short public session. He immediately creates a comfortable space for learning, making everything about the student, and nothing about the maestro.
David the man is humble, modest, friendly, approachable, generous, loyal, and supportive. He has an infectious calm and seemingly endless patience. His company, along with that of his life-long companion María Jesus, can transform any event into a warm memory of time spent with wonderful people.
Congratulations David, on receiving this prestigious lifetime achievement award. Given your close involvement with Koblenz over three decades, I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.
Stephen Goss
Fabio Scarduelli
David Russell é uma grande inspiração para diversas gerações de violonistas. Sua projeção na música transpassa as fronteiras do violão, colocando-o no patamar artístico dos grandes intérpretes da música clássica. Sua carreira longeva é exemplar, com uma produção que está sempre no auge artístico e técnico. É dono de uma sonoridade cristalina e uma poética inconfundível que nos toca profundamente. Seu legado é absolutamente impactante, seja a partir de sua produção fonográfica numerosa e estilisticamente variada, seja como dedicatário de novas obras. Muito obrigado David, por sua linda trajetória e por continuar abrindo e nos mostrando caminhos!
Fabio Scarduelli
Aniello Desiderio
David è il Signore della chitarra, non solo sul palcoscenico ma anche nella vita. Un artista che emana signorilità attraverso le note e i suoi comportamenti.
Aniello Desiderio
