Raphaella Smits
Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way on eight-string guitars and
historical instruments. Recognized as ‘an uncommonly musical guitarist’ (Tim Page,
New York Times), she always commits to the soul of the music. For three decades, her
solo recitals as well as her performances with the most distinguished colleagues
always meet enthusiastic audiences and press.
Raphaella Smits
Besides stage-work Raphaella Smits has made 5 LP’s and since 1986 for Accent Records
12 CD’s, many of them being listed as indispensable to refined music lovers.
Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar
and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she
regularly gives master-classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America
and in Japan.
Organizers of international music competitions ask Raphaella as a member of the jury
because of her ability to listen and to judge so accurately. Here again she shows
her talent to combine professional skills with a great sense of empathy.
Raphaella studied classical music at the Royal Conservatories of Antwerp and
Brussels. She went to José Tomàs to perfect her playing at the “Catedra Andrès
Segovia” in Alicante and in Santiago de Compostella, Spain. At that time she was
giving her first recitals and became a persuasive advocate of the eight-string
guitar.
In 1986 Raphaella Smits was the first woman to win the first prize of the “XX
Certamen Internacional de Guitarra Francisco Tarrega”, famous international guitar
competition in Benicasim, Spain. That victory confirmed the progress of a successful
career, which over the previous years had included prizes in the Granada and Palma
de Mallorca contests.
Chairmen Andrès Segovia and Narciso Yepes, both expressed their admiration for
Raphaella’s musicality and put prophetically confidence in her future achievements.
Raphaella Smits is called quite rightly ‘une Grande Musicienne’ and ‘one of the most
delicate and most cultivated performers of our time’ (Jean Bernard, Diapason, FR).
email:info@rsmits.com
website: www.rsmits.com
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