Portraits for Guitar Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas & Helen Sanderson

• Stephen Goss (b. 1964): Circle Line:
• 1 Goss: Sonatina: Circle Line 07:17
• Marylebone Elegy:
• 2 Goss: Sonatina: Marylebone Elegy 07:00
• Canary Wharf:
• 3 Goss: Sonatina: Canary Wharf 05:39
• Flores Chaviano (b. 1946): Sonata, Evocación y Boceto:
• 4 Chaviano: Sonata, Evocación y Boceto: Sonata 02:54
• 5 Chaviano: Sonata, Evocación y Boceto: Evocación 02:29
• 6 Chaviano: Sonata, Evocación y Boceto: Boceto 01:21
• 7 Chaviano: Variaciones sobre el Yenyere 05:05
• Dominique Le Gendre (b. 1960): Tongoy Triptych For Two Guitars:
• 8 Gendre: Tongoy Triptych For Two Guitars: Tongoy Sea 03:20
• 9 Gendre: Tongoy Triptych For Two Guitars: Tololo Sky 02:08
• 10 Gendre: Tongoy Triptych For Two Guitars: Elqui, Earth 03:10
• Walfrido Domínguez (b. 1954): Cuaderno de Viaje No.5:
• 11 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: La brisa y el terral 01:07
• 12 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: Bayomo 01:18
• 13 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: Remolino cuatro vientos 02:31
• 14 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: Aire con aire que el sol abrasa 01:51
• 15 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: Rehilete 01:40
• 16 Domínguez: Cuaderno de Viaje No.5: Aire de agua 02:34
• Dominique Le Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar:
• 17 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: i 02:10
• 18 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: ii 03:22
• 19 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: iii 02:58
• 20 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: iv 02:33
• 21 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: v 01:43
• 22 Gendre: Six Sketches For Solo Guitar: vi 03:36
• Total Runtime 01:07:46

Info for Portraits for Guitar

Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas releases today his new album, "Portraits for Guitar".

This recording is the result of several years of collaboration with remarkable composers and friends, bringing together music that celebrates the rich connections between Cuban, Caribbean and British musical traditions. Featuring works by Stephen Goss, Flores Chaviano, Walfrido Domínguez and Dominique Le Gendre, the album explores themes of place, memory, rhythm and identity through the expressive voice of the guitar.

The album also includes the world premiere recording of Dominique Le Gendre's Six Sketches for Solo Guitar, written especially for me with the support of the Hollick Family Foundation, alongside Tongoy Triptych for two guitars, performed with the wonderful Helen Sanderson.

Recorded at Holy Trinity, Hitchin, and produced by James Unwin with engineer Adaq Khan, Portraits for Guitar is a deeply personal project that reflects my lifelong commitment to championing contemporary guitar music and building musical bridges across cultures.

Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas, classical guitar
Helen Sanderson, classical guitar

Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas
is one of the finest performers of the Cuban Guitar Movement. He is a sophisticated virtuoso on his instrument and an ambassador of Cuban culture. Since graduating from both the Royal College and Guildhall School of Music and Drama he has performed in prestigious venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, toured extensively around Europe, presented innumerable UK premieres, and released several critically acclaimed recordings. His latest CD Ilusión y Verdad is out now on Parma Recording (USA).

Over the last 15 years, Ahmed has established a successful career in the UK, whilst maintaining a performance profile and strong links with Cuba.

Dickinson Cardenas is widely recognised as an ambassador both for the music and musicians of his native country. In 2008, Ahmed founded Cubafilin Records – a record label dedicated to the exclusive promotion of Cuban musicians and their original works. For nearly ten years, Dickinson Cardenas enjoyed the great privilege of collaborating with the prolific late guitarist and composer - Jose Antonio (Ñico) Rojas. Ahmed transcribed Rojas' extensive unpublished works during this period, and subsequent performances and recording earned two prizes at the Cubadisco Awards 2009, Best Instrumental Soloist & Best Instrumental Album. The same album was nominated for Best Artist & Best Newcomer in Songlines World Music Magazine, and Best Album & Best Single at the Latin American Music Awards UK.

Passionate in his collaboration with other artists, Ahmed has released seven albums. He has also worked with Chineke!, soprano Laura Mitchell, Fiorella Camilleri, flamenco Jazz guitarist Eduardo Niebla, Cuban percussionist Hammadi Rencurrell, violinists Emma Blanco, the Santiago Quartet, and led the Cuban Guitar Orchestra Sonantas Habaneras in Havana for two years.

Dickinson Cardenas graduated from the Superior Institute of Art (ISA Havana) and was awarded a first-class honours degree on the guitar, completing his qualification a year early. In 2005, he moved to London to study with Carlos Bonell and Chris Stell at the Royal College of Music and was awarded prizes including the Royal College of Music Guitar Competition and the Ivor Mairant Guitar Competition. In 2006, supported by The Kramer-Chappell Scholarship and the Mad Hatters Club, he undertook further studies with Robert Brightmore at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Since his arrival in the UK, Dickinson Cardenas has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ashley Stewart Arts Sponsorship 2011, Concordia Foundation 2008-2009 and Ivor Mairants International guitar Competition 2006.

Recent engagements include a Wigmore Hall recital with the Kyan quartet, performing Villa-Lobos Concerto with the Bath Festival Orchestra at Kings Place, solo recitals for IGF (International Guitar Foundation) as well as touring to Spain, Malta, Azerbaijan, England, Scotland and Ireland in collaboration with Grammy nominee composer Eduardo Martín.

Booklet for Portraits for Guitar