Biography

Mak GRGIĆ (1987, Ljubljana, Slovenia) Since his teenage years, Mak Grgić has inspired both enthusiastic public acclaim and words of praise from the pens of critics, rare for such a young performer.

In June 2009 Mak made his debut in Russia, performing the Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra

Mak is Interviewed by JANA, the popular Slovenian Family  Magazine

July, 2009

"He has rightfully earned the title of a young master of guitar - not only for his accurate, skilled and harmonious playing, but also for the fact that his hands transform music into a brilliantly beautiful, sparkling and fluttering, joyful live being." (Jutarnji list-Croatia). (Chitarra Classica, Italy) proclaims, "The extraordinary, bravurous performance, voluptuous expression and abundant timbral nuancing of phrases, accompanied by the sense of style equally suited to the sophistication of baroque, the modernist strength and the girdless passion testify that this young artist has paved the way to fulfilling his dream of bringing the beauty of music into lives of people of all ages and every provenience." Mak Grgić's passion for instilling the very essence of aesthetic delight in every single of his performances - by refraining from letting his ego and self-interpretation, as he likes to say, illustrates the genuine spirit and beauty of this young guitarist's early achievements.

In June 2009 Mak made his debut in Russia, performing the Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra with their principal guest conductor Vladimir Lande - the audience response was one that is rarely seen in Russia for such a young artist with a guitar concerto. In spring 2010, while on tour as a member of the Zagreb Guitar Quartet performing in the southern United States, Mak will be playing in concert with Christopher McGuire, guitarist and artistic director of the popular Allegro Guitar Series in Austin, Texas as well as taking part at the Lancaster Festival's outreach activities with conductor Gary Sheldon. In summer 2010 he will be performing the J. Rodrigo's Fantasia para un Gentilhombre with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gary Sheldon, principal guest conductor of the San Francisco Ballet and artistic director - conductor of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, as well as doing the L. Boccherini's famous Introduction et Fandango with the Festival String Quartet in Lancaster Ohio. He will also make an appearance at the Major Arts for Minors Series in Lancaster and in New York City's Shandelee's Music Festival. In addition, this year he will introduce to his concert repertoire the famous J. Rodrigo's Toccata, which is a rare piece to be heard in concert, due to its high level of technical and artistic difficulty. Mak has also made a world premiere demo recording of this piece.

Mak Grgic's favorable reception in the artistic life is obvious through participation in various festivals, cooperation with outstanding musicians, as well as giving many recitals in prestigious concert halls, such as Les Invalides - Paris, Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago, Koncerthus - Stockholm, Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur - Montréal, Library and Archives Canada - Ottawa, Amici del Loggione del Teatro alla Scala - Milan.

During studying he successfully participated and was honored with highest prizes at: the First Andres Segovia International competition for young guitarists in Velbert, Germany, the Forum Gitarre Wien International competition, the International guitar competition in Arrenzano, Italy, the Fifth »Anna Amalia« competition for young guitarists in Weimar, Germany, the International Guitarart festival and competition in Belgrade, Serbia and as the youngest participant the third place in the category with no age limit on the II. Concorso Europeo di Chitarra Classica, Citta di Gorizia, in Italy in 2005. He has also been awarded First prizes at the National competitions in Slovenia in 2000 and 2003.

Mak finished his primary schooling in Ljubljana with prof. Anton Črnugelj, his secondary schooling with prof. Ante Čagalj at the Elly Basić Conservatory of music in Zagreb, Croatia. He is currently studying with prof. Alvaro Pierri on the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria.

As a member of duo MM he has been awarded 4 first prizes: Croatian National Competition (2004, 2005); TEMSIG - Slovenian National Competition, Ljubljana (2005); Citta di Gorizia, Italy (2005). As a member of the Quartet Elly's he was awarded 1st prize in Gorizia (2005) as well as one second and one first prize at the Croatian National Competition (2003, 2005).

From the year 2006 onward he has become a member of the distinguished Zagreb guitar quartet. With this ensemble he has performed extensively throughout Europe and North America.

Mak distinguishes himself as a versatile guitarist, playing classical and improvised  guitar music, and offers repertoire ranging from baroque to Spanish to modern music of his homeland. Mak also plays the music of some popular jazz artists such as Pat Metheny.

Mak Grgić got his name after his father's favorite poet Mehmed Alija Mak Dizdar, one of the greatest and most acclaimed Bosnian poets of the 2nd half of the 20th Century. An ordinary walk with his father from some time ago sketched out his path for life--actually his love for the guitar. A world youth karate champion until a couple of years ago, after years of hard work and education, a month ago Mak received a standing ovation at a famous international festival in Russia. Critics predict him success, but one step at a time - he is just 22.