Guitar Festival Sunday Concert – Eden Stell Guitar Duo

Performer background

EDEN STELL GUITAR DUO – Mark Eden & Christopher Stell Internationally renowned for their dynamism and innovation, the Eden Stell Guitar Duo have ‘breathed new life into the world of the classical guitar’ (Rotterdam Dagblad).
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading guitar ensembles, the duo’s chameleon-like ability to communicate in a multitude of
musical styles makes them a constantly evolving entity with a unique creative voice.
Likened to a ‘miraculous single guitarist blessed with an impossibly wonderful technique and an exceptionally delicate touch’ (The
Observer) the Eden Stell Guitar Duo have performed around the world and regularly tour in USA, China and Europe, appearing on
television, radio including the BBC, ITV, European and North American networks.
Mark Eden and Christopher Stell began their duo while still teenage undergraduates at the Royal Academy of Music, completing their
studies with the Principal’s Prize for Achievement and the Julian Bream Prize. They continued their studies in Brussels with the
Brazilian Guitar Duo, Sérgio and Odair Assad with aid from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
The Duo made their debut at London’s Southbank Centre as part of the Park Lane Group’s Young Artists’ Concert Series, soon after
winning the South East Musicians’ Platform competition, giving them further concerts including a Wigmore Hall debut. They have
since become regulars at London venues, especially Kings Place for music organisations such as ‘Live Music Now!’, the Kirckman
Concert Society, Classical Guitar Magazine, and the International Guitar Foundation.
Mark and Chris’ recent engagements have featured performances with the Baden-Baden Philharmonie performing Joaquin Rodrigo’s
Concerto Madrigal in the presence of Cecilia Rodrigo, 92&Y New York City, International Festival Changsha China, The Baltic Guitar
Festival Lithuania, the Maui Guitar Summer School with Ben Verdery, and the Jüchen Guitar Festival Germany.
They have worked with Internationally acclaimed composers Adam Gorb, Dusan Bogdanovic, Laura Snowden, Gary Ryan, and
Johannes Moller; but the duo have had a personal association and musical affinity with the composer Stephen Dodgson going back to
the beginning of their duo partnership, resulting in a Concertino for two guitars and strings as well as a recordings of Stephen’s music
which was Editor’s Choice in Gramophone magazine on release.
The Duo have recorded 7 CDs to date on BSG, Hannsler Classics, and Naxos covering a diverse range of musical projects including
baroque keyboard transcriptions of Rameau and Couperin, contemporary Brazilian music, and a multi media CD of music inspired by places around the British Isles. Their most recent recording project, ‘Cançons i Dansas’ (BGS129) features all Federico Mompou’s Songs and Dances, taking over ten years to complete. “There is real soul in this music and these guys consistently find it in these deeply humane, wonderfully unassuming performances.” MusicWeb International.
Soon to be released is a CD of Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti adding to a long affinity the Duo have with baroque keyboard masters. As well as creating imaginative arrangements Chris in recent years has also composed new works, many inspired by the music and ancient heritage of Armenia.
Mark and Chris enjoy many collaborations and projects including performing regularly as part of the acclaimed Vida Guitar Quartet,
(tenor) James Gilchrist, (flautist) Jessica Maria Quinones, outreach with the Jackdaws Educational Music Trust, and artistic directors of both the Winchester Guitar Festival and Dillington Guitar Festival.
Chris and Mark are Associates of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of their musical achievements and both currently teach
at the Royal College of Music London, and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The duo are D’Addario strings endorsed artists.
“The fantastic Eden Stell duo manage to extract every gram of essence from this music and re-present it tastefully and imaginatively” MusicWeb International.
“The Eden Stell Duo played to the max!” New York Times.
“In every respect the performances and recording are of the highest quality. The Eden- Stell Duo are one of the best dubs around. This is a landmark recording on the guitar’s map.” Gramophone.
“… utterly entertaining and absorbing but with a refinement that could also melt your heart.” Classical Guitar Magazine
“Mark and Chris play as brothers.” Sérgio Assad – Assad Brothers Guitar Duo.
“Mark Eden and Christopher Stell have breathed new life into the world of the classical guitar … they do what a whole generation of
guitarists haven’t – they communicate the music first and foremost … Here is the future of the guitar music.” Rotterdam Dagblad, Netherlands.
“Their performance exuded such natural vitality and joy in their skills and rapport that I was hanging on almost every note … a riveting
experience.” The Independent, London.