Album Notes

Marcus Doneus lives in Austria and released just his third album SPIRIT OF THE STRINGS, which follows up his first album "Still Waters Run Deep" and "Acoustic Landscapes". This Austrian finger-style guitarist plays a variety of styles which includes traditional American blues, Brazilian music, finger-style and ragtime. His guitar playing expresses as well passionate ballads as groovy pieces. He knows to impress with excellent melody lines and skilled rhythmical patterns. His inspirers are Woody Mann, Franco Morone, Peppino D'Agostino and Jacques Stotzem among others.
"Caipirinha" is a brilliant ballad with soothing nuances. "Morning Mood" in DADGAD tuning has a soulful ambiance, just as "Homeland" in another open tuning. One of the most groovy pieces is "E-mail to Aurelia" which is a top-notch track with an excellent structure and melody line.
Marcus Doneus is a talented guitarist who combines outstanding techniques with accomplished compositions.
Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews.

Excerpts of a CD review in German Nr. 1 guitar magazine "Akustik Gitarre" (Michael Lohr):
(...) Marcus Doneus belongs to a generation of fingerstyle guitarists, that really internalized the spirit of the instrument...
... E-Mail to Aurelia is one of the most charming pieces of happy lightness...
... he shows that he really is at home in many different styles...
... through all the pieces draws a line of a friendly-relaxed bright sound, a loving care for details (every passage is wonderfully arranged) and the composer´s spirit...
...this lightflooded album is like an endless walk over blooming alpine meadows...
... the Austrian Mühlviertel region should be recognized as a guitar-landscape, that was given its own sound by Marcus Doneus.

Salvatore Baldacchino/Radio Belgium:
Marcus Doneus est un véritable virtuose de la guitare. Lorsque ses doigts effleurent les 6 cordes, la magie opère. Originaire de Linz (Autriche), sa formation est classique,ce qui lui vaut une maîtrise technique hors du commun.
Spirit Of The Strings’ propose 14 titres instrumentaux, compositions originales flirtant avec le blues, le folk, le jazz, la balade ou la musique brésilienne.
Une belle escapade acoustique.

Massimo Ferro / Radio Voce Spazio (Italy):
There is no need to say anything more about the playing as it is absolutely fine; but what most impressed me are those beautiful melodies that shine all through the albums and  make your music a real pleasure for the ears. There is no weak moment in both the CD's in fact, so that be sure more music of your will be on air in the next weeks!
    In the meantime let me please thank you once again for your kind attention and giving me the chance to discover such great stuff.



what guitar masters say about SPIRIT OF THE STRINGS:

"Marcus' new guitar compositions are a timeless collection of expressions that showcase wide ranging influences - from traditional american blues and ragtime to Brazilian rhythms and contemporary fingerstyle explorations. I admire his musical honesty." Woody Mann (USA)

"Marcus Doneus is a gifted guitarist and his music
reflects his kind spirit and original intellect.
You'll enjoy his music. Marcus's gift for composition is truly exquisite. His music will touch you and let your fingers dance! Good job amico!" Peppino d´Agostino (USA)

"Marcus´ fingerstyle shows different moods with a clear sound and peaceful melodies; Also I've got here the knowledge of a good fingerstyle repertoire linked to his teaching experiences. All the acoustic guitar pilgrims travelling through Austria should have a stop in his guitar-store.  Franco Morone (Italy)

" Very nice CD ! I really like the sound and also all the pieces are very well played and interpreted. I particularly like "River of dreams" and "Morning mood" - very beautiful melodies. In "Ireland on my mind", the melody and the mood of the piece immediately transport you to that superb country, the piece has that dancing character combined with a typical melancholic Irish feeling. "Rag pour Jacques" really swings and reminds me of one of my favourite swing piano player "Fats Waller". Merci beaucoup pour la dédicace ! " Jacques Stotzem (Belgium)

"Ich durfte dabei sein, wie Marcus leise aber radikal seinen Traum "Gitarre" zu leben begonnen hat. Ich darf jetzt erleben, wie mich Stücke wie "Alpine Lullaby" oder "Angel Wings" wirklich berühren. danke - grosse Klasse und Respekt." Michael Langer (Austria)

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