One year of MusiCurate, The Classical Guitar Magazine!

Welcome to Volume 2: MusiCurate Magazine is Bigger, Bolder, and Brimming with Guitar Greatness

It has been an absolutely incredible journey since we launched our very first issue exactly one year ago. Today, we are beyond thrilled to present our seventh issue, kicking off 2026 and Volume 2 with a massive leap forward in creative energy. If you notice the magazine feels significantly more substantial in your hands or on your screen, you are absolutely right. We have officially expanded by 50 percent, growing from 40 pages to a robust 60 pages. Alongside this exciting expansion, the magazine has been freshly energized with a stunning visual rebrand spearheaded by our brilliant colleague, Praise, who handles our design and layout.

This latest edition is packed with exclusive interviews, insightful educational columns, and deep dives into the lives of the artists who are 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. Let us take 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, featuring the extraordinary talents of Antigoni Goni, Luca Isolani, and Maarten Vandenbemden. Spearheaded by Antigoni, this trio is a beautiful expansion of the Volterra Project Summer Guitar Institute that 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. He states, "I don't think playing as a trio was something we ever consciously decided to do. It was more of a 'happy coincidence.'" 

A massive part of the trio's identity is tied to their Medio Siglo project, a heartfelt 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 profoundly moving memory about one of these instruments, "La Medio Siglo." She recalls, "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, where they masterfully translate iconic stage and screen masterpieces, like Bernstein's West Side Story and Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye, into a breathtaking orchestral experience for three classical guitars.

The Enduring Legacy of John W. Duarte

This issue features a massive three-part tribute highlighting the vast contributions of British composer John W. Duarte (1919-2004). Duarte was a remarkable figure whose career uniquely 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 a fascinating article on his father's legacy. Christopher has taken on the monumental task of editing and publishing his father's works, despite a unique challenge. Christopher 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, highlighting 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 feature interviews with 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 in Duarte's work. He says, "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, who is based in Cambridge, UK, provides insight into how personal connections shape a recording. She also details her separate, ongoing collaboration with composer Dušan Bogdanović, revealing that he approached her after hearing her play his Sonata No. 1 at a competition.

A Spotlight on the Philippines: Tradition Meets the Global Stage

We are proud to continue our focus on the Philippines with two inspiring 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. He notes, "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 provides a beautiful explanation of traditional Filipino vocal genres, specifically 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 our readers a taste of this rich musical heritage, this issue includes Soler's beautiful 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 mysteries of the 10-string guitar? Thomas Walsh, a classical musician specializing in contemporary music for the instrument, takes us on a journey 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 fascinating 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, we have included 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.

Essential Insights from Our Columnists

Our regular career and education columns are back to provide essential insights for your daily practice and professional life.

In his "Sage Advice" column, Jason Sagebiel tackles a topic that 100 percent of surveyed readers wanted to improve: sight reading. Sagebiel drops a truth bomb early on, explaining that sight reading, as most people think of it, does not actually exist. Instead, it is about 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 the importance of 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. He urges musicians to remember the most important factor in building a career. He advises, "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

Finally, we have some thrilling announcements regarding the MusiCurate community. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Dr. Edgar Omar Rojas Ruiz has won the 2025 MusiCurate Composition Competition with his brilliant single-movement work for solo guitar titled 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. We are inviting readers to reinvent this piece to their liking. Whether you want to formally arrange it or improvise over the provided chords, this is your chance to showcase your creativity. The deadline is July 1, 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 massive celebration of the classical guitar, and we cannot wait for you to read it. With all this incredible content, we hope to offer guidance, fulfillment, and general reading pleasure to all of our subscribers throughout the year.

To grab your copy of Volume 2, Issue 1, or to explore additional content, sheet music, and more, head over to https://musicurate.com/apps/library#Magazines