Anne-Kathrin Gerbeth & Bernhard Dolch formed the D UO G UITARTES after the two of them had already enjoyed international success as soloists, numbering among the few German guitarists of their generation to win prizes in notable competitions. They were awarded diplomas in the classes of Carlo Marchione, Joaquín Clerch and Tadashi Sasaki, were taught above and beyond their university studies by lutenist Paul O’Dette and Eberhard Feltz – mentor of the Kuss- and Vogler-Quartets – and have also made an intensive study of historically informed performance practice. D UO G UITARTES was founded out of their desire to leave the beaten track and make a serious contribution to expanding the repertoire for guitar. They work intensively at arranging major as well as lesser known works of previous epochs, in order to convey the vibrancy and emotional depth of this music in a historically informed way, using the possibilities of modern instrumental technique to awaken it to new life. As a result of these aspirations several arrangements (" … that you might think that a long lost manuscript of guitar duets by Purcell had turned up. " – review by British Music Society) and new sheet music editions have been published by Universal Edition, Ricordi-London, Acoustic Music Books, Edition49, Da Vinci Publishing and Joachim- Trekel-Musikverlag. A further significant concern has been to inspire new compositions, in order that several of today‘s most influential composers (including Joseph Phibbs, recently dubbed " one of the most successful composers of his generation " by BBC Music Magazine) have dedicated fascinating new works to them. In the course of their concert activity, they have performed in famous concert halls like the Berlin Philharmonie and at renowned chamber music and guitar festivals all around the world. For each new season, D UO G UITARTES is creating programmes devoted to ever changing musical themes such as "Gluck and Neoclassicism", "Heaven and Earth – music in the field of tension between spirituality and secualrity", "Pre-Classical and High Baroque", "Per aspera ad astra" … Anne-Kathrin Gerbeth and Bernhard Dolch both teach at the University   in   Cottbus (BTU) and have taught as visiting professors and guest lecturers in Europe and Asia. Graduates from their classes have gone on to win prizes at international competitions.

Interview

"Their musical interplay, the richness in tone colours and the emotional depth are on the highest level. Chapeau!" Review in "Auftakt!" - German Plucked Instruments Society