Carlos Restrepo, born in 1986 in Cali, Colombia, is one of the most versatile guitarists of his generation. He is a classically trained guitarist currently based in Frankfurt, Germany.
His style of playing is characterized by a passionate, subtle and powerful
expressive style. It forms a harmonious blend of musicality and virtuosity that has enthralled diverse audiences. He stands out as a professional, prominent and soulful guitarist.
A key role in Carlos Restrepo’s work is his involvement with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose sonatas for solo violin he has recorded on CD in his own transcription, which will be released shortly. As a profound connoisseur of Bach’s music, Carlos Restrepo is constantly exploring the expressive possibilities of Bach’s works in transcription for the guitar, constantly discovering new things and thereby further developing familiar playing techniques and forms of expression.
In addition to his solo career and his deep involvement with Bach, Carlos Restrepo can be experienced in many different chamber music formations, for example as a member of the duo Madera alongside the saxophonist Leonardo Rojas, with a focus on Colombian composers such as Leon Cadona or Clemente Díaz.
In addition, Carlos Restrepo is very interested in giving space to contemporary music and has therefore already been active in various ensembles for new music. In addition to performing works by contemporary composers such as A. Ginastera, Nuccio D’Angelo, Leo Brouwer and others, his own arrangements and compositions are always the focus of his concerts.
Carlos Restrepo first completed his guitar studies at the University del Valle in Colombia with Clemente Díaz and Hector Gonzalez.
He then studied at the University and Conservatory of Strasbourg,
France musicology and parcours personalisé studies with Susana Prieto and Alexis Muzurakis (Duo Melis).
His versatility and desire to grasp and explore music holistically also led him to study musicology, composition and Écriture Musicale.
This was followed by a master’s degree at the Musikhochschule Freiburg and a master’s degree in instrumental pedagogy at the HfMdK with Christopher Brand. Carlos Restrepo specialized in early music with Prof. Yasunori Imamura in Strasbourg and Frankfurt. From 2019 – 2022 he deepened his guitar knowledge with Prof. Ricardo Gallen in Weimar.
Carlos Restrepo successfully participated in international guitar competitions and
Masterclasses with renowned guitarists such as Prof. Judicael Perroy, Eric Franceries, Prof. Joaquim Clerch, Pablo Marquez, Margarita Escarpa, Pavel Steidl, Rene Izquierdo, Gerhard Reichenbach, Peter Katona, Gabriel Bianco, Florian Larousse, and Prof.Thomas Müller Pering.
Carlos Restrepo is the winner of the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship in 2018 and the Deutschlandstipendium Frankfurt in 2021.
In addition to his work as a guitarist, Carlos Restrepo pursues an active pedagogical activity in the Mainz area at the Peter Cornelius Music Conservatory.
His students have emerged as first prize winners of various guitar competitions thanks to his holistic pedagogical approach.
Another special feature of Carlos Restrepo’s concerts is the sound of his Luthier Diego Valencia guitar strung with Savarez strings.
