Jonas Egholm – Guitar Soloist
Sønderho Church, Fanø. Tuesday 14th July 2026 at 7.30 pm
All-inclusive Festival Ticket KR. 700,-
Jonas Egholm – Guitar Soloist
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Suite for Lute No. 3 in G minor, BWV 995
I. Prélude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Gavotte I
VI. Gavotte II
VII. Gigue
Giulio Regondi (1822–1872): Introduction et Caprice, op. 23
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968): Capriccio Diabolico (Omaggio a Paganini)
Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909): Variaciones sobre
„El carnaval de Venecia“ de Paganiniohannes
Classical Guitar Virtuosity at Fanø Festival 2026
The second concert of Fanø Festival 2026 presents one of Denmark’s most remarkable classical guitarists, Jonas Egholm, in a programme spanning more than two centuries of music, from the Baroque genius of Johann Sebastian Bach to the dazzling virtuosity of the Romantic and twentieth-century guitar traditions.
Jonas Egholm – guitar soloist is established as one of the leading guitarists of his generation. Winner of numerous international competitions and praised for his technical brilliance, musical imagination, and expressive depth, he has performed throughout Europe and beyond. His repertoire ranges from the great classics of the guitar literature to contemporary works, and he is widely admired for his ability to combine intellectual insight with communicative warmth. Audiences and critics alike have praised his performances for their clarity, poetry, and remarkable tonal palette.
At the heart of the programme stands Johann Sebastian Bach’s Lute Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 995, one of the most profound works ever associated with the plucked-string repertoire. Although originally conceived for lute and adapted from the composer’s Fifth Cello Suite, the work has become a cornerstone of the modern classical guitar repertoire. Its seven movements take the listener on a journey through contrasting moods and characters, from the monumental Prelude and noble Allemande to the lively Gavottes and exuberant concluding Gigue. Bach’s ability to combine architectural grandeur with emotional depth continues to fascinate performers and audiences nearly three centuries after the music was written.
The programme then turns to Giulio Regondi’s Introduction et Caprice, one of the hidden treasures of the nineteenth-century guitar repertoire. Regondi was a child prodigy whose fame spread throughout Europe at a remarkably young age. Admired by leading musicians of his era, he helped elevate the guitar from a salon instrument to a serious concert instrument. His music combines lyrical elegance with extraordinary technical demands and remains a testament to the golden age of Romantic guitar playing.
A fascinating connection runs through the second half of the concert: the enduring influence of Niccolò Paganini, the legendary violin virtuoso whose seemingly supernatural abilities inspired generations of musicians. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Capriccio Diabolico was written as an homage to Paganini and has become one of the most celebrated works in the twentieth-century guitar repertoire. Filled with dramatic contrasts, dazzling passagework, and theatrical flair, the piece challenges the performer while captivating the listener with its energy and imagination.
The Paganini connection continues in Francisco Tárrega’s Variations on “The Carnival of Venice”, based on a melody that inspired countless virtuosos throughout the nineteenth century. Tárrega, often described as the father of the modern classical guitar, transformed the popular tune into a brilliant showcase for the instrument. The work combines charm, wit, and breathtaking technical fireworks, demonstrating the guitar’s ability to sing, dance, and astonish in equal measure.
Taken together, these works offer a unique perspective on the evolution of the classical guitar. From Bach’s timeless counterpoint to the Romantic brilliance of Regondi, from Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s modern tribute to Paganini to Tárrega’s dazzling virtuosity, the programme celebrates the extraordinary expressive range of the instrument and the artistry required to master it.
Set in the atmospheric surroundings of Sønderho Church on Fanø, one of Denmark’s most beautiful and historic village churches, this concert provides an ideal setting for an evening of musical storytelling, virtuosity, and reflection. For visitors to Fanø Festival 2026, it offers a rare opportunity to hear one of Scandinavia’s leading guitarists in a programme that explores the poetry, history, and brilliance of the classical guitar tradition.
Artists: Jonas Egholm – guitar soloist
Venue: Sønderho Church, Fanø
Date: Tuesday 14 July 2026, 7:30 pm
Festival: Fanø Festival 2026 / Klassisk Sommer Festival