Biography/Presskit
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TheGothenburgCombo

Download printable presskit (PDF) here!
The presskit includes photos, biography, press quotes,
program-propsals and contact-information and can
easily be printed.

More than just a brilliant Guitar Duo, TheGothenburgCombo is one of the
most exciting and hypnotic ensembles touring the world today. With a
fresh, personal approach to the classical Guitar tradition, technical
perfection and an unusually powerful stage presence, they have left
audiences and critics throughout the world spellbound.

“A knockout Chamber music experience!”
Sörmlands Nyheter, Sweden

Striving for maximum communication with the audience, first and
foremost through their musicianship, but also through their entertaining
and charming way of presenting the music, TheGothenburgCombo
immediately draws on the true nature and soul of chamber music,
providing conversation, a spirited “dialogue”, between the musicians
and the audience. They bring the classical repertory into our time,
making it sound so fresh and natural it could have been written today.

“The duo has been perfect for years, technically as well as in the choice
of their exquisite programmes.”
Nordische Musik, Germany

In 2004 TheGothenburgCombo won the first prize and the audiences’s
prize in ”13eme Concours Internationale de Guitare en Duo” in
Montelimar, France, the most prestigious competition for
duo-Guitarists, making them one of the most sought-after and
well-established ensembles. Since then, the duo has toured regularly
throughout Europe, the USA, China and South America, performing in
concert halls, jazz clubs, schools, churches, galleries and theatres
with equal success.

“TheGothenburgCombo brings together intellectual challenge, perfection,
a lovely musical performance (and gags) in a congenial manner.”
Augsburger Allgemeine, Germany

Their first CD, 19th century music played on period instruments,
was released in 2005. During a tour in Bavaria 2001 they were invited
to the legendary luthier Hermann Hauser´s residence in Reisbach and
were generously offered to use guitars from his collection of
ancient instruments for the recording.

TheGothenburgCombo’s latest album, “Soundscapes”, a tribute to
the American composer Steve Reich, received brilliant reviews and made
it to the top ten on the Swedish Album Chart. It was also recognized as
one of the best albums of 2007 in several of the most influential
Swedish newspapers.

TheGothenburgCombo's third album, "La Vida Bréve",
with more tradidional, romantic Guitar music was also received with great
critical acclaim.

In 2009, TheGothenburgCombo will tour the US
(a major tour arranged by the Allied Concert Services),
the Dominican Republic, the UK, Germany, Holland, Finland, Denmark
and Sweden.

Besides performing in traditional venues TheGothenburgCombo is very
active on the contemporary music scene. Collaborating with composers
of today as well as composing their own material, they have been praised
for their very powerful and personal contemporary style.
To further expand their possibilities TheGothenburgCombo also
collaborates with actors, writers, video artists, light designers, DJs,
dancers, and performance artists. TheGothenburgCombo is always
searching for new artistic expressions...


Press Quotes:

”TheGothenburgCombo was indescribable...they were
incredible."
Soundboard, USA

"...simply perfect..."
Classical Net, UK

» "...an extremely enjoyable recital in which both
musicians seems prepared to take risks in the name
of real expression- a rare thing in recorded music
these days."
Classical Source, UK

”TheGothenburgCombo plays music from all different periods with an
intensity that is rarely heard. The audience sits motionless and
quiet as a mouse during these young talented Guitarists’ concert ...”
Gitaarsalon, The Netherlands

“This is a top-class cure for anybody who thinks that classical Guitar
music is “boring”,. Hansson and Hansy plays outstandingly well...”

“TheGothenburgCombo is a unique phenomenon among Swedish
musicians. Two young musicians that not only plays brilliantly,
but also knows how to communicate their joy in making music
through an unusually powerful stage presence.”
Jönköpings-Posten, Sweden

“The duo has been perfect for years, technically as well as in the
choice of their exquisite programmes.”

“They play the Romantic Guitar repertory so fresh and directly from
the heart, that you have seldom heard anything like it. Lots of
energy, a little bit of improvisation, good ears for sound and above
all: joy.”
Nordische Musik, Germany

“TheGothenburgCombo brings together intellectual challenge,
perfection, a lovely musical performance (and gags) in a
congenial manner.”
Augsburger Allgemeine, Germany

“The Gothenburg Combo was charming, two classical guitarists so
precise and delighted with what they were doing, everybody in the
room grinned, too.”
Philadelphia Citypaper, USA

"TheGothenburgCombo provides the ideal concert and complete
package. From their charming banter to their immaculate technical
prowess to their enormous dynamic contrasts to their impassioned
musicality to their imaginative, diverse program
choices, TheGothenburgCombo need to be heard."
Long Beach Guitar Society, USA

"Excellent! Highly recommended. One of the most entertaining
Guitar Duos I've ever heard."
The Rosette, USA

“A knockout Chamber music experience!”
Sörmlands Nyheter, Sweden

“It is an overwhelming performance that brings the Guitar to its
highest level of art.”
Norra Västerbotten, Sweden

“It is easy to understand why this dynamic duo has received such
praise. Thomas Hansy and David Hansson are young, virtuoso and
good-looking, they have a strong will to communicate and they
have an outspoken pop/rock-aesthetic, both in appearance,
performance and choice of repertory. They have been
acknowledged both as an extrovert punk-performance-group and
as true interpreters of Romantic music.”
Nutida Musik, Sweden

“...soon world-stars if there’s any justice in this world.”
Borås Tidning, Sweden

“With their classical Guitars TheGothenburgCombo carefully
leads the listener into landscapes that are as clear as they are
beautiful.”

”A dynamic and very powerful musical performance...”
Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden

"for putting focus on the classical guitar in both traditional and
unexpected contexts and for opening new doors for classical
and contemporary music. TheGothenburgCombo gives us the
opportunity to experience the guitar-music of yesterday, today
and tomorrow in exciting forms".
Västsvenska kulturfondens award, Sweden

“Outstanding musical interpretation.”
Hemann Hauser III, luthier, Germany

TheGothenburgCombo plays on guitars made by Per Hallgren.

Awards:

First price+ the audience prize in "13ème Concours International de Guitare en Duo" in
Montelimar, France 11/7-2004!

The Swedish guitar duo ”TheGothenburgCombo”, (David Hansson and Thomas Hansy)
won the first prize as well as the audience’s prize in "13ème Concours International de
Guitare en Duo"!

The competition takes place in Montelimar in France and is the biggest competition for
guitar duos in Europe. After two preliminary rounds three duos made it to the finale.
Out of these,”TheGothenburgCombo” was awarded first prize!
The duo also recieved the audience’s prize! The Finale was held Sunday 11 July in t
he Auditorium Michael Petrucciani in Montelimar.

The members of the jury were: Olivier Chassain (France), professor at Paris Consevatoire
and Bordeaux Conservatoire, Jeff Cogan (USA), director of the Guitar Foundation of
America International Guitar Competition and Frèderic Zigante (Italy), professor at Trieste
University.

Västsvenska Kulturfondens Stipendie, 2002.
 In november 2002 The Gothenburg Combo received "Västsvenska Kulturfondens
Kulturstipendie".The motivation read:

"for putting focus on the classical guitar in both traditional and unexpected contexts
and opening new doors for classical and contemporary music. TheGothenburgCombo gives
us the opportunity to experience the guitar-music of yesterday, today and tommorrow in
exciting forms".

Second prize in "7 Internationaler Musikwettbewerb, Bubenreuth", Germany, 2000

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