Album Notes

Aurora features recordings of twentieth-century classics by Joaquin Rodrigo and Elliott Carter alongside world-premiere recordings of works by Edward MacDowell, Erik Satie and Eugene Ysaye transcribed for solo guitar by Alan Thomas.


Alan Thomas is a gifted guitarist, composer and arranger who has distinguished himself as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation. Combining the best of the classical guitar repertoire with original compositions and arrangements that bring new sound worlds to the instrument, his performances have enchanted audiences and critics alike with their virtuosity and great range of expression.

Alan Thomas was born in Atlanta, and studied with Ernesto Bitetti at Indiana University and Scott Tennant at the University of California at San Diego. He has been a top prize winner in competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America, MTNA and American Artistic Ambassador Competitions, and in 1997 won first prize in the prestigious International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition in Holland (becoming the only guitarist ever to do so).

Based in England since 1997, he has pursued an active career as a recitalist and concerto soloist, performing throughout the U.K., Europe, North America and Asia, and has been featured at many of the major international festivals. As a concerto soloist, he has appeared with the Nieuw Ensemble, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble ExposÈ and Kantak. His performances are frequently broadcast on television and radio throughout Europe, Asia and the United States, and he has recorded compact discs on the Accord, Metier, NMC, Matchless Records and Guitar Classics labels, including a critically acclaimed recent 2-CD set of arrangements of songs by the Beatles entitled The Long and Winding Road.


"Alan Thomas conjured a wonderfully rich world from his instrument in this spellbinding concert. Anyone interested in the best of what's being written for the contemporary guitar should seek out Alan Thomas, who exudes confidence and pleasure in his inspired playing and repertoire."
[Classical Guitar magazine (England)]