|
The American guitarist, Douglas Niedt (pronounced "neet"), began his study of the guitar at the age of seven with his father, an amateur guitarist. Douglas’ interest in music was stimulated by his father’s encouragement to listen to and explore the entire spectrum of music. By the time he was 14, he had received first prize awards in national competitions sponsored by the American Guild of Music. International recognition and acclaim followed his first prize sweep at the age of seventeen of the Chet Atkins International Guitar Competition in which three hundred guitarists were entered from around the world. Since then, Douglas has polished his playing to gem-like brilliance through studies at the Juilliard School, the Segovia Master Classes in Spain, and with masters Pepe Romero, Narciso Yepes, Christopher Parkening, Jorge Morel, and Oscar Ghiglia.
At the age of twenty-one Douglas Niedt made his New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall. This successful debut demanded three return appearances in the same hall the following years. He has since appeared before enthusiastic audiences across the country prompting one critic to write, “Mr. Niedt is not only a brilliant master of his instrument, but a performer of great sensitivity; the wealth of sound and the dynamic finesse which he elicits from the guitar promise to make him a worthy companion of the few great guitarists such as Andrés Segovia and Julian Bream.”
"One of the most outstanding musicians in the world today" is how one critic described Douglas Niedt. His listeners around the world know him best for his love of fresh, diverse, and emotionally engaging repertoire performed with incredible energy, technical perfection, and most of all, emotional depth. His concerts include music not only from the traditional classical repertoire, but also film music, jazz, Celtic, boogie, and American theater music. Besides his unique repertoire, which includes his one-of-a-kind arrangements for classic guitar of music by Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Secret Garden, Tommy Emmanuel, and Richard Rodgers, Douglas has a singular style of presentation for a classically trained artist. During the course of the concert, in an informal manner, he often includes commentary, information, and anecdotes about the guitar, its music, and himself. His striking ability to communicate with his audience makes his performances seem more like an intimate gathering of friends than a recital for strangers.
Douglas Niedt's fabulous CD, "Pure Magic", received a rave review in England’s Classical Guitar Magazine and led to his appearance on the cover of Fingerstyle Guitar magazine the following year. His Christmas CD is titled "In Heavenly Peace". His performance video, "Douglas Niedt--American Virtuoso", was released by Bransong Music.
Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Douglas Niedt is head of the guitar program of the Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Missouri at Kansas City. |
