International critics

BUT FIRST, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT FOUR INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS, CITED IN PARAGRAPH FORM: WASHINGTON, D.C., USA "I was one of the lucky ones with a seat up front because Laucke is one of the finest guitarists to have played in Washington in a long time. Most guitarists make each piece sound like a tour-de –force. The music they produce sounds uncomfortably squeezed and distorted to fit the needs of the instrument. Laucke, however, managed to make everything sound natural and relaxed. He projected the music rather than the virtuosity and to do so is the highest form of virtuosity. He commanded a world of expressiveness. He also brought an unerring sense of rhythmic timing and the nimble fingers necessary to produce beautifully even ornaments. Throughout the concert, Laucke's playing was a model of clarity, evenness, control and good sense". THE WASHINGTON POST, Joan Reinthaler NEW YORK "CANADA'S TOP GUITARIST and one of the top guitarists in the world today" NEW YORK POST, Eugenia Sheppard ENGLAND "Laucke ambled on to the platform, one hand in trouser pocket, and gave his program with a accomplishment and relaxed charm. Music by Luis de Narvaez was as persuasively done as this was [world premiere by Canadian composer]. His performance was near perfect...who could ask for anything more? THE LONDON TIMES, Stephen Pettitt ISRAEL "Laucke is a musician from Canada who plays flamenco with the heat, excitement and feeling of someone who has just descended from the hills of Andalusia. In the sold-out performance we attended, Laucke proved himself to be truly a master in his command of the guitar. He gave it that touch of magic virtuosity belonging only to those who totally control the instrument. His flamenco music was a rare blend of sylph-like grace and exceptional talent; all of which was greatly enjoyed by the audience".. AURORA, Lavi Amitai

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HERE FOLLOWS REVIEW EXCERPTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: MONTREAL, CANADA "Michael Laucke: Poet of the Guitar" JOURNAL DE MONTREAL, (largest French paper in America) Patrick Gauthier, June 7,1997 MONTREAL, CANADA "MICHAEL LE MAGNIFIQUE" LA PRESSE, Philippe Tétreau, May 17, 1996   MONTREAL, CANADA "MICHAEL LAUCKE... A GENIUS OF THE GUITAR". ALLO VEDETTES, Yves Boudreau, May 1996 CANADA "MICHAEL LAUCKE RAISES FLAMENCO TO THE HEIGHTS IT DESERVES. Place des Arts was attended by a wildly enthusiastic audience . He built a career filled with success and based on inspiration". El POPULAR (National Newspaper) Francisco-José Vidal, June 14, 1996   CANADA "...Immense talent". JOURNAL VEDETTES PLUS, (Quebec Regional Magazine) Murielle Fournier, May 17, 1996 MONTREAL WEST, CANADA "GUITARIST LAUCKE DELIVERS ON SULTRY SERENADES, FIERY FLAMENCO". THE SUBURBAN, Scott Taylor, July 3, 1996 TERREBONNE, CANADA "MICHAEL LAUCKE: ONE OF THE GREATS". LA REVUE, Danny Poulin, August 6, 1996 MONTREAL, CANADA "Burning hot... a colorful performance". THE GAZETTE, Thomas Schnurmacher, February 16 1995 OUTREMONT, CANADA "The concert was fascinating from beginning to end... and the rhythm breathtaking". LE JOURNAL D'OUTREMONT, Daniel Rolland, November 1994 QUEBEC, CANADA "MICHAEL LAUCKE: STAR OF THE NOUVEAU FLAMENCO STYLE". LE SOLEIL, Régis Tremblay, October 22, 1994 CANADA "Michael Laucke, is there anything he hasn’t done?" L’ACTUALITÉ, André Ducharme, October 1991 MONTREAL, CANADA "...One of the greatest guitarists in the world". JOURNAL DE MONTREAL, Paul-Henri Goulet, May 1991 MONTREAL, CANADA "GUITARIST MICHAEL LAUCKE BRILLIANT IN MSO DEBUT PERFORMANCE". THE SUBURBAN, Myron Galloway, March 13, 1991 QUEBEC, CANADA "MICHAEL LAUCKE MAKES ONE FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GUITAR. More than a virtuoso, charismatic Michael Laucke is a pure talent! For him playing is a reflex, just like breathing... irresistible Michael Laucke". LE SOLEIL, Régis Tremblay, October 28, 1990 ISRAEL "Magic Virtuosity... truly a master in his command of the guitar. He gave it that touch of magic virtuosity belonging only to those who totally control the instrument". AURORA, Lavi Amitai, March 23, 1989 BEIJING, CHINA "...Excellent skill and perfect musical expression... a splendid, formidable guitarist. The concert was impressive and the music beautiful and flamboyant". NEW EVENING POST, July 22, 1988 BEIJING, CHINA "There is no doubt that Michael Laucke's premier in Beijing met with the best possible response from the Chinese audience... a delight to the ears". CHINA PERFORMING ARTS AGENCY, Deng Siyi, president, July 17 & August 28, 1988 BEIJING, CHINA "...a superb, splendid guitarist". SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, Harry Rolnick, July 18, 1988 INDIA "The music and the engrossing rhythmic élan of the playing had an intoxicating effect. Laucke's own 'Solitude' was most exquisite". THE AFTERNOON DESPATCH & COURIER, August 10, 1988 MONTREAL, CANADA "...The person who has done more for the guitar in this country than anyone else"."The expressive guitar of Michael Laucke was always present, sometimes in the flamenco version and sometimes in the traditional Spanish form, and equally convincing in both". "His easy mastery of the instrument was everywhere apparent... exceptional gifts". THE MONTREAL GAZETTE, Eric McLean, Critique Emeritus May 21 & 30, 1988 and April 18, 1981 MONTREAL, CANADA "Michael Laucke is a man who is not afraid of putting everything aside for his art. My Flamenco Concerto is but a mere token of my love and admiration for his art and personality". MICHEL-GEORGES BRÉGENT, composer, May 30, 1986 CANADA "ONE OF FIVE OF CANADA'S BEST-KNOWN SOLOISTS". THE MUSIC SCENE, Lynn Harting, July / August 1986 LOS ANGELES. U.S.A. "...Outstanding musicianship, talent and spirit of adventure". SOUNDBOARD MAGAZINE, John W. Tanno, Winter 1985-86 CHICAGO, U.S.A. "His relaxed manner, beaming smile and gracious speaking voice won the hearts of the audience before he even played a note". "Laucke has the ability to communicate his great love for the music he plays, both in the music itself and in his stage manner". GUITARRA MAGAZINE, Norman Ruiz, Summer 1985 MONTREAL, CANADA "One can’t imagine a more convincing interpreter. If all guitarists played as musically as Laucke, the guitar would have a better reputation". "...a true poet". LA PRESSE, Claude Gingras, November 16, 1984 and November 6, 1989 MONTREAL, CANADA "A thoroughly excellent performance". LE DEVOIR, November 22, 1984 LONDON, ENGLAND "...Tasteful, persuasive, accomplished". THE LONDON TIMES, Stephen Pettitt, October 10, 1983 HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND "...Near perfect... who could ask for anything more?". CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, Chris Dell, September / October 1983 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY "CANADA’S PREMIER GUITARIST... one of the stars of the festival". STATE GAZETTE. Lajos Nagy, August 17, 1983 MONTREAL, CANADA "One of the most refined guitarists this country has produced". THE GAZETTE, Eric McLean, January 16, 1982 HAWAII "Laucke is a wizard of a player and makes easy work of the hardest stuff. No kidding, there is magic at work here". GUITAR & LUTE MAGAZINE, George Warren, October 1981 MONTREAL, CANADA "...Immense musical talent. I have rarely been able to meet a musician of such great quality and, above all, of such great completeness and intense capacity for work". CLAUDE VIVIER, composer, November 4, 1981 BANFF (ALBERTA), CANADA "Michael Laucke's ease in resolving major instrumental and musical problems with a fearless and joyous attitude...". OSCAR GHIGLIA, Banff Centre of the Performing Arts, July 1977 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. "Michael Laucke is a highly motivated and exceptionally dedicated and disciplined artist whose virtuosity with the classical guitar is awesome and magnificent. As a disciple of the muse of Music, Michael is rare and gifted, indeed. He is an inspiration to students of the guitar and to others like me who are appreciators... and we are legion". RAY NELSON, United States Senate, Administrative Assistant to Senator Claiborne Pell, Feb. 23, 1977 DUVERNAY, CANADA "I have never known a musician as committed and dedicated to his art as Mr. Michael Laucke, guitarist from Montreal... musician of a rare sensibility, persistent worker and an artist with a remarkable professional awareness to which one attributes gifts and qualities". FRANÇOIS MOREL, composer, February 27, 1977 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A. "...An extremely gifted guitarist... originality of ideas and capacity for hard work... high ideals and sound integrity". ROLANDO VALDES, resident soloist at the White House (Johnson and Carter administrations), January 10, 1977 ALESSANDRIA, ITALY "I like his playing because it is full of natural nuances which come from a very natural musical sensitivity". ALIRIO DIAZ, President, Consevatorio di Musica A. Vivaldi., June 1977 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A. "CANADA'S TOP GUITARIST". NEW YORK POST, Eugenia Sheppard, November 5, 1976 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. "He projected the music rather than the virtuosity and to do so is the highest form of virtuosity. He commanded a world of expressiveness... one of the finest guitarists to have played in Washington". "Throughout the concert, Laucke's playing was a model of clarity, evenness, control and good sense". THE WASHINGTON POST, Joan Reinthaler June 7, 1971 and December 31, 1979 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. "He played works by Albeniz and Granados with virtuoso flair". The WASHINGTON POST, Joseph McLellan, November 26, 1971 ITALY "...Precision always impeccable". GUIDO AGOSTI (concert pianist), June 1969 FRANCE "...Musician of a very beautiful classicism... sensitive phrasing... rich sonority". NOÉMIE PERUGIA (foremost interpreter of French vocal music), June 1969 FRANCE "...Very musical... very chic". MARIE DARRÉ (virtuoso concert pianist), June 1969 MONTREAL, CANADA "A very gifted and musical instrumentalist". CBC RADIO, Serious Music Dept., October 9, 1968