Aniello Desiderio, guitar

Born in Naples, he performed in public for the first time when he was 8 years old while displaying such outstanding gifts that music critics started to speak of him as an “enfant prodige”, “wunderkind”, “a genius”, “the Orpheus of the guitar”, “a guitarist of the century”, and “il Fenomeno”.

In 1992, Aniello Desiderio graduated with honours from the Conservatory of Music in Alessandria and later won 18 First Prizes and Awards in both national and international competitions, including: 1st Prize and Special Prize for the best interpretation of South American music at the International Guitar Competition in Habana, Cuba (1988), “Neapolitan of the Year” Award for Mr. Desiderio, Italy (1988), 1st Prize and Special Prize of the best interpretation of Tarrega’s music at the International Francisco Tarrega Competition, Benicassim, Spain (1992), and 1st Prize at the International “Guerrero” Competition, Madrid, Spain (1995).

He has performed as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa; regularly in the most important theaters of the world including Carnegie Hall, Munich Philharmonie, Alte Opera, Tonhalle, Teatro delle Palme, Radio France, Die Gloke, Istanbul Philharmonie, Berlin Philharmonie, and Opera House Wien.

Mr. Desiderio performed with Virtuosi di Mosca with Vladimir Spivakov, RSO Berliner, Deutche Kammerphilarmonie, Alessandro Scarlatti, I Pomeriggi Musicali, Bach Collegium, Wiener Kammerorchester, and some of the most prestigious music festivals all over the world such from Rhengau MusikFest, Bremen Musikfest, and Ludwigsburger Schlosfest-spiele to Mosel Musikfest.

In May 1999, the German Television BR/ARD produced a music film (45 min.) and a portrait (45 min.) of Mr. Desiderio in Naples. It was broadcast more than 10 times throughout Europe. In Sept. 1999, he received the “Artist in Residence Award 1999” from the German Radio DLF and the Musikfest Bremen together with Gidon Kremer.

Mr. Desiderio was invited to perform at the 70th birthday Gala of Maestro LORIN MAAZEL by the Bavarian Radio & TV station. Renowned guitarist John McLaughlin chose him for the European Premiere of his Concerto “Thieves and Poets.”

Together with his brothers Gennaro and Gaetano Desiderio and other famous Neapolitan musicians, he founded the group Passione Napoletana, performing the music of his hometown Naples – “Serenate, Tanghi, Danze, Canzoni e Tarantelle Napoletane.” He was one of the performing artists of a prestigious German TV show – ZDF (German 2nd canal) which was broadcast across Europe.

Recent appearances included performances with the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra and Romulo Larrea (Bandoneon) Tango con Passion, in Germany and in Turkey with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra.

He has recorded for numerous labels including FRAME, WAKU MUSIC, KOCH-UNIVERSAL, ADORO RECORDS, Accelerando Music Production, and GuitarCoop.

In fall 2009, he created his last project: Aniello Desiderio’s “Quartetto Furioso” with Gennaro Desiderio violin, Gaetano Desiderio piano and Salvatore Minale drums and percussion play a programme consisting of Vivaldi 4 Seasons and 4 Piazzolla Seasons and he realized the CD of this project for the famous german label TERMIDOR, which has artists such as Paquito D’ Rivera and Sabine Mayer. In 2010, Aniello performed the Concerto Madrigal by Joaquin Rodrigo with one of the legends of the classical guitar, Angel Romero.

In great demand as a teacher, he’s been giving summer masterclass since 2010 at the International Academy for Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria); previously a professor at the University of Music in Potenza (Italy), and currently a professor at University of Music in Avellino (Italy).

For more information and more sound samples, please visit www.aniellodesiderio.net