Milos Karadaglić, a Montenegro-born classical guitarist, is gradually building a following in the music industry.
Karadaglić trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he obtained a master's degree in performance. After obtaining his degree, he began performing at such notable places as the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland and Wigmore Hall in London. After winning Ivor Mairants Award and the Julian Bream Prize, he scored his first record deal with Deutsche Grammophon as the first classical guitarist signed by the label in many years.
So far, his CDs include "Mediterraneo," "The Guitar" and "Latino." His latest album, "Pasión," has earned the 29-year-old a growing fan base in the states.
The International Business Times had the chance to ask Karadaglić about the rebirth of classical guitar music, the current state of the music industry, and how his background has shaped his work.
A recent article in the Huffington Post claimed that you could save classical guitar music. Do you agree?
My intention is to always be the best artist that I can be. I feel very fortunate to be able to live my life through the guitar. For me, there is no instrument more beautiful or more delicate. My international career has just begun, there is so much more I would like to give, so much music I would like to explore and share. What my legacy will mean in world of classical guitar -- only time will show. For the moment, I am happy to simply do my best.
Do you think that music fans are ready to embrace less-mainstream styles of music?
Let's not forget that classical music was the only kind of music a hundred or so years ago. We live such crazy lives, and we simply have to allow our senses to feel the pureness and sheer beauty of this music. It can respond to every emotion we possess in ourselves. It is a myth one [that] needs to have an education in order to understand it. No one can teach us feelings. Also, it is not an accident that guitar became the most popular instrument in the world. Whether it's a rock, pop, classical, jazz or blues guitar, it is still a guitar and it speaks to everyone!
You have a unique cultural background. How much of that has influenced your work?
Where we are born naturally shapes who we become. Montenegro has always been on the cultural crossroads of east and west, and together with my amazing family it represents the very core of who I am today. This inevitably influences the music. It gives it a slightly different touch.
You've performed throughout the world, where have you found the most receptive audiences?
All audiences are different. Every country, city and venue has unique energy, which is automatically mirrored in the performance. This is what is so exciting to a concert artist, because, even if you played the same show five nights in a row, every time it feels very different and as if you are doing it for the very first time. I particularly enjoy playing in Paris because this was the first European city I played a concert in when I was 14 years old.
Outlets like, NPR, The Economist, the New York Times, The Guardian, have all praised your music. How has the extensive coverage of your work shaped your fanbase?
One of my favorite things is a signing session after each concert. It allows me to connect and meet the people that are the reason why I am a concert performer. My audiences are always extremely varied and, depending on the country and venue, they range from the most sophisticated classical concertgoers to those who choose my concert to experience classical music for the very first time. However, what gives me the biggest pleasure is when I meet young children that I have inspired to take up guitar. That means the world to me because it is our guarantee for the future.
How do you feel about being grouped with such legendary musicians as Andres Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams?
It always makes me feel truly humbled. Those people have inspired me to be a guitarist in the first place. Hearing praise for my own work always encourages me to work even harder and every day try to find something new and exciting.
What's your current take on the music industry and how does your style fit into it?
We live in a rapidly changing world. We naturally have to adopt and embrace the change. Owing to technology, the area of potential reach has become much wider. Using creative ideas is the key to success. Days of precious concert venues and untouchable artists are over. We are all here to share the gift of music, and we are in it together. Sometimes one needs to take a risk and even get out of the comfort zone. But when one is prepared to do so, only sky is the limit.
Copyright 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.
