Praised for his “visceral and imaginative performances” by the Washington Post, top prize winning classical guitarist and recording artist Adam Levin has performed on four continents across the globe. Levin has performed extensively across the United States at renowned venues such as Chicago’s Pick Staiger, Nichols, and Mayne Stage concert halls as well as at the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago; Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Jordan Hall; Spivey Hall in Atlanta; repeat appearances at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City; and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In Europe, Levin has performed in some of the finest venues across Spain, and in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. In the 2018-19 season, Levin makes several solo, chamber, and orchestral appearances in Israel, Spain and the Faroe Islands, as well as across the United States. Adam Levin’s live performances have been featured nationally numerous times on NPR’s Performance Today, the nationally syndicated Classical Guitar Alive, and studio performances on top radio stations including WFMT Chicago and WCRB Boston.

In the 2018-2019 season, Levin toured across the US including appearances at Guitar Foundation of America, Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, Old First Church in San Francisco, Boston Classical Guitar Society, Berklee College of Music, The National Gallery in Washington D.C, and Miami New Music Festival, among others. Internationally, Levin made his debut in Israel performing with duo partner and virtuoso mandolinist, Jacob Reuven, as Duo Mantar. Additionally, Levin’s 2019-20 season includes international touring in the Faroe Islands, as well as Spain and a return visit to Israel.

The recipient of numerous top prizes, Adam Levin has been recognized by the Society of American Musicians, the Lake Forest Concerto Competition, Minnesota’s Schubert Competition, Boston GuitarFest, Concurso Internacional de les Corts para Jóvenes Intérpretes in Barcelona, Concurso Internazionale Di Gargnano, and Certamen Internacional Luys Milan de Guitarra in Valencia. For his promotion, interpretation and performance of Spanish music, he was nominated for the 2011 Trujamán Prize, in which only three guitarists worldwide are selected annually.

From 2008-2011, Levin was honored as a Fulbright Scholar as well as grant awards from the Program for Cultural Cooperation Fellowship (promoting cultural understanding between Spain and the United States) and the Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship, to research contemporary Spanish guitar repertoire in Madrid, Spain. His three-year residency resulted in a major collaboration with 30 Spanish composers spanning four generations, who each wrote works commissioned by and dedicated to Levin. In 2012, production began on a four volume encyclopedic recording project with Naxos. The first two recordings in the series, 21st Century Spanish Guitar, Volume 1 and Volume 2 have been released by Naxos to rave reviews from Classical Guitar Magazine, Soundboard, American Record Guide, and featured Recording of the Month and Recording of the Year awards from Music-Web International. In November 2017, Naxos released Volume 3 of the series, with six world premieres of solo works dedicated to Levin, including pieces by three of Spain’s most renowned composers, Antón García Abril, Leonardo Balada, and Cristobal Halffter, plus three works by rising composers Eduardo Morales-Caso, Laura Vega, and José Luis Greco.

Volume four is expected to be released in 2020. In November 2018, Adam Levin as a member of the guitar trio, The Great Necks, released an album on the Sony/Frameworks label with original arrangements by Sibelius, Bach, Marquéz, Villa-Lobos, and Scriabin. Adam’s latest release (February 2019) was with his duo partner and violinist, William Knuth, called Wild Dance (Naxos Label). This is the first of three volumes of arrangements by guitarist/arranger, Gregg Nestor. Vol. 1 showcases works by Foss, Szymanowski, Gershwin, Ravel, Ponce, and Korngold. Both albums reached the top ten on the Traditional Classical Billboard Chart.

Levin’s critically acclaimed discography also includes his debut album, In the Beginning [ALR, 2009], Music from Out of Time [La Communidad de Madrid, 2010], and Fuego de la Luna [Verso, 2011], the latter showcasing the complete guitar works of Spanish-Cuban composer Eduardo Morales-Caso, a composer whose music Levin has championed since the launch of his career.

An avid chamber musician, Levin has performed with orchestra, string quartet, and various instrumental and vocal duo combinations. His chamber ensemble, Duo Sonidos (www.duosonidos.com), has been celebrated for bringing a fresh interpretation of chamber music to wide-ranging audiences across the globe while expanding the repertoire for violin and guitar through new commissions. Adam is also a member of The Great Necks Guitar Trio (www.thegreatnecks.com) with guitarists, Matthew Rohde and Scott Borg. Together they are exploring previously unthinkable orchestral works on three guitars. And, finally, Adam’s newest musical partnership is with virtuoso Israeli mandolinist, Jacob Reuven. Together, they are exploring original and arranged Israeli music. In October 2019, they will record an album on the Naxos Label showcasing these works. They will tour together for 12 concerts in the same month promoting Israeli and Jewish repertoire.

As an ambassador of the guitar, Mr Levin is dedicated to sharing the guitar in underserved and unconventional spaces. He was director of the Concert for Golf Coast Aid for Hurricane Katrina victims, which raised $10,000. He was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship to conduct 200 hours of innovative community work in Boston public schools, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. Demonstrating his long-term commitment to music advocacy, Levin is a founding member of Kithara Project (www.kitharaproject.org), an organization whose mission it is to improve the lives of children and youth through the classical guitar. They currently run three year-round guitar education programs in Boston, Albuquerque, and Mexico City.

A native of Chicago’s North Shore, Adam holds bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University in Music Performance, Psychology, and Pre-Med. Under the tutelage of Eliot Fisk, Levin completed his master’s degree in guitar performance at New England Conservatory in Boston. His esteemed teachers have included Oscar Ghiglia, Gabriel Estarellas, Anne Waller, Mark Maxwell, and Paul Henry. Adam is a director of Young Guitarists’ Workshop (www.ygwboston.org) at Boston Guitarfest, which also meets twice throughout the year for weekend workshops. Levin is a professor of guitar at the University of Rhode Island and also teaches at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Levin also serves as artistic director of the annual University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival (www.uriguitarfestival.org). Adam Levin is an Augustine Artist and performs on a guitar by luthier Stephan Connor. WWW.ADAMLEVINGUITAR.COM

CONTACT

Management Inquiries:

Victoria McCarthy, Manager, McCarthy Management Group

(224) 430-1918

E-mail: vmccarthymanagement@gmail.com

AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

Awards:

Trujamán Nomination for interpretation of Spanish Music – Spain 2011

1st prize: Luys Milan Intl. Chamber Music Competition (Duo Sonidos) – Spain 2011

1st prize: IX Luys Milan International Chamber Music Competition – Spain 2010

Prize winner: XXXIV Concorso Internazionale Di Gargnano – Italy 2009

Prize winner: in X Concurso Internacional de les Corts – Spain 2009

Prize winner: Boston GuitarFest – Boston 2007

1st prize: Schubert Guitar Competition – St. Paul 2005

1st prize: Society of American Musicians Competition – Chicago 2000

Distinctions:

1st Prize: Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship and Competition – Spain 2010- 2011

Fulbright Scholarship – Spain 2008-2010

Program for Cultural Cooperation Fellowship – Spain 2009

Diploma di Merito: L’Accademia Musicale Chigiana – Italy 2005-2008

Albert Schweitzer Fellowship – Boston 2007–2008

US Choice Award, BBC Music Magazine – London 2012

Recording of the Month + Year, MusicWeb International – Coventry, UK 2013

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

China Tour: Shenyang International Guitar Festival et. al. (solo) China, July 2017
Asian Debut

Bechtsler Museum (Duo Sonidos) Charlotte, NC, April 2017

Chatter Sunday Series, Albuquerque Museum (Kithara Trio) Albuquerque, NM, February 2017

Le Poisson Rouge (solo) New York City, Sept. 2013, Dec. 2016

Art Institute of Chicago, Latin Music Festival (solo) Chicago, IL, November 2016

Former Residence, Ambassador of Spain to the US (solo) Washington, DC, October 2016

Debut Tour of Brazil (Various Venues) (solo) Sao Paulo, et. al. October 2016

Boston GuitarFest: Viva España (solo) Boston, MA, June 2016

South Bay Classical Guitar Society (solo) San Jose, CA, May 2016

International Guitar Festival of Puerto Rico (solo) San Juan, PR, May 2016

Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society (solo) Waterloo, ON, October 2015

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (solo/ensemble) Washington, DC, November 2015
Pro Musica Hebraica with Amernet String Quartet and Rachel Calloway

Utah Classical Guitar Society (Duo Sonidos) Salt Lake City, UT, April 2015

Triangle Guitar Society (solo) Chapel Hill, NC, Feb 2015 & Jan 2016

Instituto Cervantes, Latin Music Festival (solo) Chicago, IL, September 2014
Composer Leonardo Balada present

Chicago Bach Week Festival (solo) Chicago, IL, April 2014

Chamber Music Society of Detroit (Duo Sonidos Residency) Detroit, MI, March 2014

Music Center at Strathmore Hall (Duo Sonidos) Washington, DC, January 2014

Spivey Hall (solo, Atlanta debut) Atlanta, GA, November 2013

Fundación Juan March (solo) Madrid, Spain, May 2013

Texas Guitar Festival and Competition (Duo Sonidos) Dallas, TX, January 2013

Certamen Internacional de Guitarra de Andrés Segovia (solo) Granada, Spain, November 2011

Composer Eduardo Morales-Caso present

DISCOGRAPHY

Adam Levin (Boston, USA)Wild Dance, Duo Sonidos, violin and guitar arrangements for violin and guitar, Vol. 1 [Naxos, Coming in November, 2017]

“Violinist William Knuth and guitarist Adam Levin perform magnificently throughout, each individually a master of his instrument and yet performing together in perfect partnership achieving a superb ensemble sound; William Knuth performs with pristine intonation, evoking an almost silken tone from his instrument and demonstrates a mastery of harmonics and multiple stop-passage work; Adam Levin achieves a rich, warm tone on his guitar, performing lines with crystal clarity and giving a wonderful ebb and flow of musical conversation with the violin, exhibiting brilliant technique across the entire program.”

(Nick Peros, Phoenix Classical)

Wild Dance is the latest recording from violin & guitar ensemble Duo Sonidos, featuring Adam Levin on guitar and William Knuth on violin performing a wonderfully eclectic and engaging program of works by Gershwin, Kochanski/Szymanowski, Rodrigo, Ravel, Korngold, Ponce, Williams, & Foss. It reached no.3 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Chart.

The Great Necks, original arrangements for three guitars [Sony/Frameworks, 2018]

“THIS IS THE MOST FASCINATING THING I’VE HEARD IN AGES … SOME OF THE MOST INVENTIVE ARTISTRY YOU ARE LIKELY TO FIND IN TODAY’S GUITAR WORLD.”

(American Record Guide, Ken Keaton)

The trio’s debut album, Original Arrangements for Three Guitars, released in November 2018 on the Frameworks/Sony label, reached the top 10 in the Traditional Classical Billboard charts. Praised as “supremely satisfying and original” (Classical Guitar Magazine) the album is an exuberant romp through several centuries of orchestral and keyboard repertoire. It reached no.10 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Chart.

21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 3 [Naxos, Coming in November, 2017]

“Adam Levin has put heart and soul into assembling this program and is passionate about his findings… Levin is a stylish and highly skilled player who’s equally at home with the challenging, the lyrical and the playful.” – Classical Guitar Magazine

The third of this four-volume series unites distinguished composers of the older generation with some of the most promising voices in Spain today, amply justifying claims for a modern Spanish renaissance of the classical guitar. Adam Levin puts his flawless technique and gorgeous tone to the service of music whose soul and poetry are the unmistakable products of a common and illustrious ancestry.

21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 2 [Naxos, 2016]

“An astonishing achievement… a most impressive disc… Levin is an utterly brilliant player, whose ability to assimilate such a wealth of music is inspiring.”

– Al Kunze, Soundboard

The second of a four volume series presenting new Spanish works for solo guitar commissioned as part of Adam Levin’s three-year residency in Spain. Amongst a wealth of exciting new names are some of Spain’s most distinguished and well-established composers such as Leonardo Balada, Anton García Abril and Benet Casablancas.

21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1 [Naxos, 2013]

“Adam Levin’s playing is superb — no technical difficulties, lovely tone, wide range of dynamics and articulation… I can’t imagine these works played with more conviction, expression, and sheer joy!” – Kenneth Keaton, American Record Guide

This first of four volumes represents award-winning guitarist Adam Levin’s major collaboration with the new century’s ‘Spanish Masters’. Bridges to the past include medieval sources in the Secuencia Sefardita and Baroque in the unconventional variations of Handeliana. These stand alongside pastoral scenes in Viento de Primavera and a celebration of Albéniz from Leonardo Balada.

Fuego de la Luna: Adam Levin Plays Morales Caso [Verso Records, 2011]

“There is no doubt that we have, before us, one of the most exceptional guitarists and chamber musicians of our time.” – Eduardo Morales-Caso, composer

This recording is the result of an intense, creative, decade-long journey on the part of composer Eduardo Morales-Caso. Adam Levin, along with several fine collaborating artists, is the reflection of the creative and personal manifestation in Morales-Caso’s masterful and colorful scores for the guitar.

Music From Out of Time [Gober Records 2010]

“There are good new pieces here to make this CD worth investigating.”

— Classical Guitar Magazine

The album represents an extensive introduction to the world of contemporary Spanish music for guitar. Adam Levin not only performs as soloist but in three different chamber music combinations: guitar duo, muted trumpet and guitar, and string quartet and guitar. The album features works by Eduardo Morales-Caso, José María Sánchez Verdú, David del Puerto, Mario Gosalvez-Blanco and Leonardo Balada.

Duo Sonidos [ALR 2010]

“Duo Sonidos plays with a loose-limbed, easy virtuoso ‘cool’ and beguiling tonal warmth that combines laid back intuitiveness and classical sophistication.”

— BBC Music Magazine (US Choice Award)

Adam Levin and William Knuth unite two ambassadorial instruments – guitar and violin – in their debut recording. Together, they explore the diversity of Ibero-American music (Spain, Argentina, Cuba) with a riveting arrangement of Histoire du Tango by the tango master Astor Piazzolla, plus works by Eduardo Morales-Caso, Salvador Brotons, and Manuel de Falla.

In the Beginning [ALR 2009]

“Absolutely thrilling…will dazzle and entertain at every possible opportunity.”

— Minor 7th, Acoustic Guitar Music Review

This debut album introduces Adam Levin’s versatility, not only as a soloist but as a chamber musician. It represents a variety of musical and cultural aesthetics and explores core repertoire from the past two centuries, while adapting new works from violin to the guitar. Works by Ysaye, Bach, Walton, Freidlin, Tedesco and Turina.

COMMISSIONS AND PREMIERES

Adam Levin has active professional relationships with the foremost Spanish composers of the last four generations. With the support of the Fulbright Scholarship, the Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship and the US and Spanish embassies, he has commissioned over 30 new works for the solo guitar, each of which will be premiered on four new recordings and published in a multi-volume manuscript series.

Commissions Received – Composer (Year Premiered)

Viento de Primavera – David del Puerto (2009)

La Fragua de Vulcano – Eduardo Morales-Caso (2009)

Volavérunt – Eduardo Morales-Caso (2010)

El Jinete Azul- Eduardo Morales-Caso (2010)

Music from Out of Time – Mario Gosalvez-Blanco (2010)

Tríptico y Habanera – Carlos Perón Cano (2010)

Nostos – Octavio Vasquez (2011)

Caprichos No.8 Abstracciones de Albeniz – Leonardo Balada (2010)

Secuencias Sefardí – Carlos Cruz de Castro (2010)

El aguijón de las sombras – Carlos Satué

Les ones, el mar, el blau – Jordi Rossinyol

El hombre que plantaba arboles – Laura Vega (2014)

Estudie de Concert: D’embarbussament – Feliu Gasull

Orión – Juan Manuel Ruiz (2012)

Dos Canciones Sefarditas – Marisa Manchado

Interiores – Jesús Torres (2012)

Arboretom – José Luis Turina

Sombras – Raquel Rodriguez

Two New Suggestions – Salvador Brotons (2012)

Handeliana – Ricardo Llorca (2012)

Preludio y Danza – Mario Carro

Nakshatras – Gustavo Díaz-Jerez

Tres Piezas – Benet Casablancas (2013)

Lineas – Vicente Roncero

Tres Piezas – Marc Lopez Godoy (2014)

El Pozo Amargo – Agustin Castilla-Avila

Five Flavors – Jose Luis Greco (2014)

Sonata Vasca – Javier Jacinto (2012)

Funk – Jorge Muñiz (2013)

I’ve got you under my string – Eduardo Soutullo (2014)

Tres Piezas para Guitar – Benet Casablancas (2013)

Caprichos No. 11 Abstractions of Granados – Leonardo Balada (2014)

Upon 21 – Jacobo Durán-Loriga (2014)

Turris Eburnea – Luis de Pablo (2014)

Dos Cantares – Anton Garcia Abril (2014)

Caprichos No. 13 Abstractions of ‘El Amor Brujo’ – Leonardo Balada (2015)

Portraits from the Heartland – Jorge Muñiz

Trimountain – Anton Garcia Abril (2016)

SAMPLE RECITAL PROGRAM 2017-2018 – “EVOLUTION OF SPANISH GUITAR”

Two Sonatas, K. 53, K. 209

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Trimountain *

Anton García-Abril (b. 1933)

Yemanja Sonata for Solo Guitar *

Eduardo Morales-Caso (b. 1969)

Fandanguillo

Joaquín Turina Sevillana-Fantasía (1882-1949)

-Intermission-

Invocacion y Danza

Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999)

Caprichos No. 11: Abstractions of Granados *

Leonardo Balada

Abstraction of “Danza Española No.6”(b. 1933)
Abstraction of “Danza Española No.5”
III. Abstraction of “Danza Española No.2”

Abstraction of “Danza Española No.3”
Abstraction of “Danza Española No.10”

Elegía Otoñal (Autumn Elegy) *

Marc López Godoy

Vuelo de estorninos al atardecer (b. 1967)
Lluvia al anochecer
III. Hojas al viento

Two New Suggestions *

Salvador Brotons

Sicilana (b. 1959)
Brasilera
* Dedicated to Adam Levin

Other programs are available upon request, please inquire

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

“In Levin’s hands, Carlos Cruz de Castro’s “Secuencia Sefardita” for solo guitar unfolded in a visceral, imaginative performance. He plucked, strummed and slapped the strings from neck to soundboard in a dizzying exploration of sound.” – Grace Jean, The Washington Post (Kennedy Center Debut)

“In a series of what will be four discs, Levin is (almost single-handedly) filling the compositional space left largely vacant since the death of Rodrigo. It is already an astonishing achievement… a most impressive disc… Levin is an utterly brilliant player, whose ability to assimilate such a wealth of music is inspiring.”

– Al Kunze, Soundboard Magazine (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 2)

“[Levin’s] performance cannot be faulted—huge dynamic and timbral range, deeply moving phrasing,
committed virtuosity. He can be wildly dramatic, but never overplays. It’s hard to imagine these performances being improved on, but that’s just what I (and he) would love to see as this wonderful music gets discovered.” – Kenneth Keaton, American Record Guide (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 2)

“A landmark recording by an outstanding practitioner.” – Paul Fowles, Classical Guitar Magazine (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 2)

“Adam Levin is an exceptionally gifted guitarist and he played everything in a very transparent and convincing manner… my impression was that the composers were very fortunate to be represented by such an excellent spokesman for their works.” – Dusan Bogdanovic, Classical Guitar Magazine (Seville Guitar Festival)

“I can’t contain my excitement about this series. Thirty-odd newly-commissioned guitar works could rejuvenate the entire Spanish guitar tradition, or it could produce a lot of crummy music. Adam Levin’s first volume contains no crummy music, a lot that delights, and outstanding playing. History in the making…”

– Brian Reinhart, MusicWeb International, ‘Recording of the Year’ (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1)

“…These are all important contributions to the repertoire, for which we have Levin to thank. He’s clearly overjoyed to be playing them: you see it in his words in the booklet, and hear it on every track. These composers could not have asked for a better, more thoughtful and dedicated guitarist to premiere their works… There are three more volumes to come. If they’re as good as this, they’ll form one of the most exciting guitar series of the century so far.” – Brian Reinhart, MusicWeb International, ‘Recording of the Month’ (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1)

“Adam Levin’s playing is superb-no technical difficulties, lovely tone, wide range of dynamics and articulation… I can’t imagine [these works] played with more conviction, expression, and sheer joy!”

– Kenneth Keaton, American Record Guide (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1)

“Adam Levin has put heart and soul into assembling this programme and is passionate abut his findings… we’re in no doubt that Adam Levin is a stylish and highly skilled player who’s equally at home with the challenging, the lyrical and the playful.” – Paul Fowles, Classical Guitar Magazine (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1)

“The classical guitar is lucky to have a champion like Levin. His enthusiasm for the music and culture he has chosen is unbridled, and Monday night’s performance shows that he has the talent to match.” – Robert Leeper, Feast of Music (New York Recital Debut, Le Poisson Rouge)

“Mr. Levin, who collaborated with the writers to bring us these works, has an amazing track record in eliciting fine music… Recorded sound throughout is, of course perfect, and flawlessly captures the range of Levin’s playing from considerable violence to extreme delicacy.” – Al Kunze, Soundboard Magazine (21st Century Spanish Guitar, Vol. 1)

“His high musicianship shines like a beacon through his performances. There are inferences here and there to the stylized interpretations of the great Segovia….” –Steve Marsh, Classical Guitar Magazine (In The Beginning)

“Plays with a loose-limbed, easy virtuoso ‘cool’ and beguiling tonal warmth that combines laid back intuitiveness with classical sophistication.” – Julian Haylock, BBC Music Magazine (Duo Sonidos)

“This is exquisite music-making… an exciting discovery…” – Kenneth Keaton, American Record Guide (Duo Sonidos)

“Levin is high class in every respect…” –Steve Marsh, Classical Guitar Magazine, UK (In The Beginning)

“Levin is an exciting and powerful player who takes chances.” –Al Kunze, Soundboard (Fuego de la Luna)

“Adam Levin is absolutely thrilling from beginning to end. There is an overriding sense of complete self-assuredness and technical control. He will dazzle and entertain at every possible opportunity.”

–Timothy Smith, Minor 7th, USA (In The Beginning)

“Levin’s passion for this music is quite clear as he performs with great precision, thoughtfulness, expression, and with what is no doubt a masterful technique.” –Brad Conroy, Guitar International (In The Beginning)

PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS

“You are a true artist with imagination, great technique and commitment, the elements needed for a terrific future.” — Leonardo Balada, Spanish composer

“Adam Levin is a true protagonist and expresses the true poetry and dreaminess of the music he performs.” –Roberto Montes, Spanish composer

“His interpretations are fantastic, electrifying and musically pure. Levin is a very refined and intelligent musician.” –David del Puerto, Spanish composer

“There is no doubt that we have, before us, one of the most exceptional guitarists and chamber musicians of our time. Adam Levin is an ambassador of the guitar and for the music world in both in the United States and in Europe.” –Eduardo Morales-Caso, Spanish composer

“Adam is a virtuoso guitarist and a true 21st century renaissance man with the élan, intelligence, charm, tenacity and conviction to change the world.” –Eliot Fisk, guitarist

“I am sure he will soon be recognized as a leading figure in his profession, not only for his craftsmanship in performing and his total emotional and intellectual involvement, but especially for the consistency in researching and the increasing success in contributing to the wealth of the modern repertoire of the classical guitar. His future in concertizing and teaching will be a brilliant one.” –Oscar Ghiglia, guitarist