One year of MusiCurate, The Classical Guitar Magazine!

Welcome to Volume 2

It has been an incredible journey since we launched our first issue one year ago. Today we present our seventh issue, opening 2026 and Volume 2 with a leap forward in creative energy. If the magazine feels more substantial in your hands or on your screen, you are right: we have expanded by 50 per cent, growing from 40 pages to 60. Alongside the expansion, the magazine has been refreshed with a visual redesign led by our colleague Praise, who handles design and layout.

This edition is packed with exclusive interviews, educational columns and deep dives into the lives of the artists shaping the classical guitar world today. From the legacy of a British composing giant to the rich cultural tapestry of Filipino folk music, this issue has something for every classical guitar enthusiast. Here is a look inside.

The Cover Story: The Volterra Project Trio and a Luthier's Legacy

Gracing our cover for Volume 2, Issue 1, is the Volterra Project Trio: Antigoni Goni, Luca Isolani and Maarten Vandenbemden. Spearheaded by Antigoni, the trio grew out of the Volterra Project Summer Guitar Institute, which began in 2007.

In an exclusive interview, the trio discusses their evolution as a group and the deeply personal tributes behind their latest musical adventures. Maarten notes that their formation was organic: "I don't think playing as a trio was something we ever consciously decided to do. It was more of a 'happy coincidence.'"

A central part of the trio's identity is their Medio Siglo project, a dedication to the late, legendary luthier José Luis Romanillos. The trio had the rare opportunity to record with the final four guitars Romanillos ever built. Antigoni shares a moving memory about one of these instruments, "La Medio Siglo": "I remember it all so vividly: José took the guitar out of its case, and while giving it to me, he said quietly, 'This is the best guitar I have ever made... to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary with Marian.'"

The trio is now pushing the boundaries of the guitar ensemble with their album Parole in Musica, translating iconic stage and screen masterpieces, including Bernstein's West Side Story and Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye, into an orchestral experience for three classical guitars.

The Enduring Legacy of John W. Duarte

This issue features a three-part tribute to the contributions of British composer John W. Duarte (1919-2004), a remarkable figure whose career bridged science and music. Trained as a chemist, he turned to music full-time in 1969 and composed over 150 works for guitar and lute.

His son, Christopher Duarte, contributes an article on his father's legacy. Christopher has taken on the task of editing and publishing his father's works despite a unique challenge. He admits, "I am not a guitarist and have never played the instrument; my main occupation was around choral music." He shares the trials of finding more than 450 mistakes in original scores, noting that his father "wasn't a great proofreader" and often played what was in his head rather than what was on the page.

Complementing Christopher's piece, we interview two world-class guitarists who have recently released albums of Duarte's work. Colombian guitarist Francisco Correa discusses his album Songs from Beyond, a collection of Duarte's jazz arrangements. Correa was drawn to the balance between fidelity and reinvention: "When I came across Duarte's collection of over 50 jazz and popular song arrangements, I felt as though I had opened a hidden chest of treasures."

We also speak with Argentine classical guitarist Daniela Rossi, who collaborated directly with Christopher Duarte on her album Homages. Rossi, based in Cambridge, U.K., provides insight into how personal connections shape a recording, and details her ongoing collaboration with composer Dušan Bogdanović, who approached her after hearing her play his Sonata No. 1 at a competition.

A Spotlight on the Philippines: Tradition Meets the Global Stage

We continue our focus on the Philippines with two artist profiles and an exclusive arrangement of a traditional Filipino folk melody.

First, we feature Raffy Ronquillo, an artist known for his advocacy of Filipino classical guitar music. Ronquillo discusses his time at the University of Santo Tomas and his mission to integrate Filipino music into standard concert programs rather than isolating it. Reflecting on a performance in Madrid for the Philippines-Spain Friendship Day, he shares his pride in showcasing his heritage: "I don't really think of myself as a particular cultural ambassador, but I do believe that every Filipino represents, is responsible, and plays a role in the exposure and development of Filipino music worldwide."

We also sit down with Bernardo Soler, a Filipino-Australian guitarist whose dream is to celebrate Filipino identity on the world stage. Soler explains the traditional Filipino vocal genres harana and kundiman, and how he adapts them for the guitar. For international readers, he clarifies that harana is a polite, courtly serenade, while kundiman is a more complex, emotionally intense form of musical poetry reflecting deep longing. To give readers a taste of this heritage, the issue includes Soler's arrangement of the traditional Filipino folk dance "Pandanggo Sa Ilaw," complete with sheet music.

Thomas Walsh and the 10-String Guitar

Have you ever wondered about the 10-string guitar? Thomas Walsh, a classical musician specializing in contemporary music for the instrument, takes us into this unique soundscape. Walsh details his transformative encounter with the music of Maurice Ohana, which prompted him to purchase a 10-string guitar in 2017.

Walsh explains that Ohana's music is complex and heavily influenced by traditional flamenco. He reveals a striking detail about the composer: "He had a real love for the flamenco guitar, which bordered on disdain for the classical guitar." For those curious about the instrument itself, the issue includes a fun facts section explaining the famous Yepes tuning and how the extra strings allow players to perform Baroque lute music in its original range without transposing.

Insights from Our Columnists

Our career and education columns return with practical guidance for daily practice and professional life.

In his Sage Advice column, Jason Sagebiel tackles a topic that 100 per cent of surveyed readers wanted to improve: sight reading. Sagebiel explains early on that sight reading, as most people think of it, does not actually exist. Instead, it is rapid pattern recognition. He writes, "When these habits run on autopilot, your brain has the processing power to solve musical problems in real time." Sagebiel provides a concrete six-step method for developing this skill, emphasizing mental rehearsal and starting with small chunks.

In the career column, Don Hlus presents Part 2 of The Musician's Dilemma, focusing on the realities of self-management in the digital era. Hlus points out that the modern independent musician must also be a marketer, booking agent and accountant, and he urges musicians to remember the most important factor in building a career: "A career should serve a higher purpose: helping you create a fulfilling, meaningful life, not consuming it entirely. In essence, your most powerful instrument is yourself."

Competitions and Community

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Edgar Omar Rojas Ruiz has won the 2025 MusiCurate Composition Competition with his single-movement work for solo guitar, Rain of Sparks. His work will be published and recorded by MusiCurate in the near future.

Looking ahead, we are officially launching the 2026 MusiCurate Arrangement Competition. This year, veteran composer and guitarist Brian Katz has provided a framework for a composition called "A Thought" in the form of a lead sheet, and we are inviting readers to reinvent the piece to their liking. Whether you formally arrange it or improvise over the provided chords, this is your chance to showcase your creativity. The deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026, and prizes include a feature in the magazine, online study sessions with Brian Katz, and a $150 gift certificate for our website.

This issue is a celebration of the classical guitar, and we cannot wait for you to read it.

Volume 2, Issue 1 is available as a single issue, and subscribers can read it now in our digital library. To receive every issue, in print or digitally, explore a subscription.