Vladimir Gapontsev

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Vladimir Gapontsev is a Russian classical guitarist of international repute, specialising in solo and chamber music spanning Baroque, Classical, Romantic, avant-garde, Jazz, Folk and Pop. Born in Volzhskiy, Russia, he studied at the Serebryakov Institute of Arts in Volgograd and holds a master's degree in guitar performance.

A prize winner of more than 20 international competitions and a semifinalist of the Guitar Foundation of America in Los Angeles, Gapontsev has performed at prestigious venues including the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire, the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Elena Obraztsova Cultural Center in Saint Petersburg, and the Royal College of Music in London. Since 2012, he has also been a member of the Russian Guitar Quartet.

How this collaboration came about

Among the papers of Johannes Jourdan – composer, lyricist and father of JoMaJoMusic founder Martin Jourdan, who passed away in 2020 – lay a forgotten collection of original scores by Hansjörg Peppler, a composer and lecturer at the Darmstadt Academy of Music who died young. Peppler had collaborated with Johannes Jourdan as lyricist on many of his works. Among the manuscripts were three pieces for guitar, along with a letter in which Peppler asked Johannes to approach Sigi Schwab – a well-known jazz guitarist of that era – to enquire whether he might record them. That approach never happened.

The desire to finally hear these pieces stayed with Martin Jourdan. After tracking down the rights holders and obtaining permission for a recording and release, all that remained was finding the right guitarist. On recommendation, he came across Vladimir Gapontsev, now living in Thailand. He navigated the considerable demands of the pieces with remarkable ease – and these long-silent scores can finally be heard.

We are proud to welcome Vladimir Gapontsev to the JoMaJoMusic family.