The musicians and general management of Camerata Salzburg are very pleased to announce, that Giovanni Guzzo has been appointed Concert Master of Camerata Salzburg. On February 20th, the Italian and Venezuelan violinist was elected Joint Concert Master with an overwhelming majority after his trial period. He will take on the position with immediate effect alongside Gregory Ahss, who has been leading the orchestra since 2012. With the addition of Giovanni Guzzo, Camerata has gained another high-calibre chamber musician and soloist who is striving to carry the ensemble into the future with lively interpretation and unique sound as „primus inter pares”.
„The appointment of a concertmaster for Camerata Salzburg is of equal importance to choosing a chief conductor for other orchestras. We are delighted and full of anticipation that we have found in Giovanni Guzzo and Gregory Ahss two internationally renowned concert masters who are committed to identify with Camerata and its musical tradition” – Shane Woodborne, managing director of Camerata said.
Giovanni Guzzo showcases his excellent instrumental ability as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and as chamber musician with Joshua Bell, Martha Argerich, Martin Fröst, Miklós Perényi and Daniel Hope, as well as the Maggini and Takács Quartet among others. Furthermore, he has led and directed major orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Giovanni Guzzo has already celebrated numerous national and international successes with Camerata Salzburg. In 2020 he led and directed the ensemble in a recording with Hélène Grimaud for Deutsche Grammophon and performed in all concerts that Camerata Salzburg gave at the festival „Mozartwoche” in 2019 and 2020, as well as the Salzburg Festival in 2020. He also led the orchestra in further musical highlights at the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Audi Sommerkonzerte in Ingolstadt and the Alte Oper Frankfurt.
„Finding and appointing someone like Giovanni Guzzo, a fantastic musician and violinist who speaks our artistic language and strives for finest musical moments, has been a long-awaited dream come true for us musicians” says Silvia Schweinberger, violinist and spokeswoman for the Artistic Committee.
Giovanni Guzzo began his musical career at the age of 5 on the piano, adding the violin a year later. At the age of 12 he became the youngest winner of the National Violin Competition “Juan Bautista Plaza“ in Venezuela. He then was supported by French violin virtuoso Maurice Hassan and the exceptionally gifted young violinist earned a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, which he completed with highest distinctions.
„It is with greatest pleasure that I have accepted my appointment to become leader of Camerata Salzburg. In recent years it felt like a dream to make music and perform with Camerata, to be joining this musical body in their Musical journey fills me with great enthusiasm” says Giovanni Guzzo.
