Acoustic Guitar Magazine Cover story - 7 pages November/December 2023 Six-String Sojourner “Isbin is noted for her onstage charisma and playing with precision, variegated colors, and heartfelt expression. At her GFA concert, she drew the audience inside the music, reveling for long stretches with closed eyes, holding listeners enraptured until the final notes faded ... She has has furthered the goals Segovia long ago envisioned for the guitar. They included elevating it to the status of a classical concert instrument; commissioning contemporary composers to write for it; and establishing guitar performance curricula at conservatories, colleges, and universities.” Read Article (PDF)

Photos: Anne Ryan

Sharon Isbin Gives Thrilling North American Premiere of Tan Dun Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra (Yi2) January 14, 2023 Grammy and Academy Award-winning Chinese composer Tan Dun composed Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra (Yi2) for Isbin who has performed it throughout Europe and Asia, and recorded it on her Grammy-winning album for Warner Classics. On January 14, 2023, she gave the North American Premiere with the Chicago Philharmonic conducted by Scott Speck for a packed house in Chicago's Harris Theater (see photos). Third Coast Review: “Yi2 was an exciting finale to a cross-cultural evening of exquisite sounds. Isbin also leans into her instrument so that it seems an extension of herself. It was a bright and energizing moment before she gave an encore bow to which the audience enthusiastically cheered.” Chicago Classical Review: “Isbin was fully in command. One was confident her account of the solo part was authoritative as she dispatched its hairy cadenza with ease. When she took the stage for an encore, she offered the waltz Natalia by Venezuelan Antonio Lauro, a hypnotically flowing ode to composer’s daughter that serenely ended the evening.” Hyde Park Herald: “This American premiere featured Isbin at the guitar, and she was a wonder to watch and hear. Her technical prowess and musical intuition were all on display.”

SOUNDBOARD MAGAZINE November 15, 2022 Sharon Isbin's 92NY Concert a Triumph In their November 2022 recital at New York's 92NY Kaufmann Concert Hall, Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet gave the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Schwantner's Song of a Dreaming Sparrow for Guitar and String Quartet composed for them. “The evening was a triumph for Isbin as she debuted yet another album and burnished her legacy of premieres of new music by venerated contemporary composers.” Soundboard Magazine Read Article

WASHINGTON CLASSICAL REVIEW January 24, 2022 Isbin brings virtuosic fire, story-telling charm to Spanish program at Wolf Trap “Isbin knows how to play guitar as few others can ... making the guitar sound fiercely intimate or as grand as an orchestra ... flair and fireworks ... scintillating flamenco strumming interspersed with vivid evocations of song.” Read Article (PDF)

AFFINITY: World Premiere Recordings Billboard Classical Charts, #2 Bestseller Amazon Rave reviews from Gramophone, Musical America Worldwide, New Jazz Releases, Jazz Weekly, and many more... Read Review Quotes (PDF)

STRINGS FOR PEACE: Premieres for Guitar & Sarod #2 Bestseller Amazon World Music Rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Audiophile Review, World Music Central, New Jazz Releases, and many more... Read Review Quotes (PDF)

GRAMOPHONE August 2020 AFFINITY: World Premiere Recordings “Sharon Isbin's terrific latest recording evinces a wonderful talent for making fully hers what was written for her... Bright, jazzy and energetic ... a sparkling, virtuoso account.” Read Article (PDF)

Sharon Isbin & Pacifica Quartet: Souvenirs of Spain & Italy #1 Bestseller Amazon, #2 Billboard Classical Charts Rave reviews from Fanfare, American Record Guide, Audiophile Audition, Classics Today, and many more... Read Review Quotes (PDF)

Alma Española: Sharon Isbin & Isabel Leonard 2018 GRAMMY AWARD for Producer of the Year, Classical / David Frost Rave reviews from Gramophone, BBC Music, American Record Guide, Opera News, Classical Guitar Magazine, Acoustic Guitar, Apple Music and many more... Read Review Quotes (PDF)

The Chautauquan Daily August 20, 2018 CSO displays “unity and depth” Isbin receives raves as soloist with the Chautauqua Symphony performing the concerto written for her by John Corigliano: “Gorgeous, shimmering focus ... the lion's share of the plaudits on this occasion go to Isbin. Brilliant, poetic, resonant: Her musical voice is impossible to resist ... a tough act for anyone to follow.” Read Article (PDF)

MusicWeb International May 2018 RECORDING OF THE MONTH “This album communicates the essence of the Spanish ‘soul’ superbly, perhaps more powerfully than any other recording of modern ‘classical’ song ... Isbin is one of our age’s finest guitarists, with a well-deserved reputation as an interpreter of the Spanish guitar tradition. Together they make a kind of dream team ... fascinating and rewarding programme.” Read Article

BBC Music January 2018 Alma Española FIVE STARS ***** “Vivaciously, seductively idiomatic ... thoroughly entrancing ... Isbin’s range of color in the Siete canciones populares españolas masterfully matches the twists and turns of Leonard’s bewitching voice. With nuanced performances of songs and solo guitar pieces woven through the collection, this is an absolute joy.” Read Article (PDF)

Acoustic Guitar January 2018 Alma Española: Sharon Isbin & Isabel Leonard Virtuosos join forces for powerful homage to Spain’s cante jondo "Intensely soulful vocal prowess ... exquisite solo guitar. A classical music gem from beginning to end.” Read Article (PDF)

Gramophone October 2017 Alma Española “Leonard and Isbin swing with infectious enthusiasm ... Their performance of Rodrigo’s Aranjuez, ma pensée is a study in exquisite beauty ... each arc of Leonard’s phrasing telling a story of its own, Isbin’s guitar delivering spectacular rhapsodic riffs ... The solo tracks are an audiophile’s dream ... Isbin imbues each tone with its own special beauty without restricting flow, creating a resonance that hangs in the air like aural perfume.” Read Article (PDF)

The Register Guard February 19, 2017 Performances by Eugene Symphony, guitarist Sharon Isbin paint beautiful musical picture “Rouse’s Concert di Gaudí displayed the composer’s genius as an orchestral colorist... Isbin spun out an ornate yet poignantly expressive melodic line. And in the finale’s cadenza, the guitarist’s nuanced sensitivity and virtuosity commanded the listener’s undivided attention ... exquisitely delivered encore ... much-deserved standing ovation.” Read Article

City Pulse February 15, 2017 Lansing Symphony, Sharon Isbin serve up smashing night of Latin music “The centerpiece of the night was the famous Concierto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, with Sharon Isbin, arguably the world’s foremost classical guitarist. The pairing produced one of the orchestra’s most spellbinding concerto performances in recent memory. The performance started with technical mastery and quickly rose to the level of a spiritual experience... Isbin has a surgeon’s concentration, a rocket scientist’s skills and a troubadour’s heart.” Read Article

Palm Beach Daily News January 19, 2017 Mezzo-soprano, guitarist delight in Four Arts concert “...a journey to Spain in the company of two master storytellers, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and guitarist Sharon Isbin. Isbin is, simply put, one of the greatest artists of her generation—a guitarist with the highest technical and interpretive skills... Isbin’s guitar crackled with electricity. Leonard could bring us to tears... This performance was the finest this reviewer has ever experienced. A treasurable evening.” Read Article

Rutland Herald February 2, 2016 Guitarist and VSO Pack the Paramount “The concerto by Chris Brubeck takes off, right from the beginning, with Isbin delivering rapid-fire virtuosity with infectious themes ... The slow middle is a tender jazz-based tribute to Dave Brubeck, and Isbin played with heartfelt warmth and tenderness... Isbin also wowed and touched with Joaquìn Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. She was truly charismatic in the virtuosic first and third movements, and eloquently tender in the gorgeous slow middle section. Isbin is much more than a virtuoso; she is an artist of depth.” Read Article (PDF)

The Washington Post October 13, 2015 Guitarist Isbin Shines at Intimate Recital “Isbin is a master molder of color, balance, equilibrium and resonance. Her dynamic range extends from the barely audible to a hearty mezzo-forte that, in this context, seemed to roar. She speaks as eloquently in thin whispers as in bold, vibrant tones, and the audience’s stillness spoke volumes about Isbin’s expressive powers.” Read Article

The Washington Post October 8, 2015 Sharon Isbin constituted luxury programming The Washington Post exclaims, Sharon Isbin “offers an intense, elastic sound, resilient and nuanced and controlled and brought across in all its detail” in her first of three performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. “The orchestra was definitely crisper during the first half of the program... thanks to the presence of Sharon Isbin, arguably today’s most famous active guitarist.” Read Article

American Record Guide September/October 2015 Sharon Isbin: Troubadour “A wonderful documentary of an artist at the peak of her career. ... Isbin is extraordinarily articulate and charismatic, and as glamourous and beautiful as ever—and clearly deeply devoted to her art. ... Sound and video on the Blu-ray are exceptional, and the production superb. If you only know a few of Isbin’s contributions, you’ll find this a revelation. If you already know what a treasure she is, this will be a delightful hour.” Read Article (PDF)

Gramophone August 2015 Sharon Isbin: Troubadour “Winning documentary ... a testament to Isbin’s curiosity, imagination and mesmerizing command.” Read Article (PDF)

CD OF THE WEEK: WGBH/WCRB Boston November 10, 2014 Sharon Isbin brings together an astonishing diversity of music in a five-disc set. “Isbin’s performances are faithful and transcendent, evoking an almost otherworldly allure. The variety of textures ranges from solo guitar to full orchestral guitar concertos, adding up to create a testament to Isbin’s flexibility and mastery of classical guitar repertoire in all genres, old and new.” Read Article

The Boston Musical Intelligencer September 29, 2014 Being Sharon Isbin “Like Isbin’s playing, the documentary and its editing flow effortlessly. It helps that the guitarist has led a remarkable life and the wealth of cameos make this a delightful portrait. With the nuances and sensitivity of her playing, she is fluent in making music that touches hearts and minds, reaching wide audiences and recruiting worldwide to the joys and delights of the guitar.” Read Article

Documentary Film Sharon Isbin: Troubadour 2014 A one-hour documentary produced by Susan Dangel Guests include Martina Navratilova, Michelle Obama, Joan Baez, Steve Vai, Stanley Jordan, Garrison Keillor, David Hyde Pierce, Janis Ian, Lesley Gore, Mark O’Connor, Tan Dun, John Corigliano, Christopher Rouse, Joan Tower, Leonard Slatkin, Paul Winter, and more, with Isbin’s performances showcased from international concert stages to the GRAMMYs and White House. Review Quotes

Guitar World March 2, 2014 Guitar Passions Featuring Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan & Romero Lubambo “These three amazing instrumentalists were meant to play together. The chemistry between them is so genuine it was evident they were communicating at another level ... like a love triangle of soul mates who finish each other’s sentences.” Read Article

SoundPress.net February 3, 2014 Guitar Greats Grace the Stage at the MPAC “Guitar Greats Grace the Stage at the MPAC Billed as Guitar Passions—Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan and Romero Lubambo—presented a stellar set of Brazilian and Latin flavored music. All three players are guitar geniuses...a world class concert from three world class musicians.” Read Article

The Washington Post March 17, 2013 Guitar Virtuoso Sharon Isbin Offers an Evening to Remember “It would be nearly impossible to find an American classical guitarist more influential than Sharon Isbin. Her jaw-dropping technique and lyrical interpretations have helped bring the guitar into the classical mainstream, and a rather spectacular array of new masterworks has been written expressly for her ... Isbin conjures an extraordinary palette of sound.” Read Article

Sharon Isbin & Friends: Guitar Passions, Reviews Billboard Top Classical Charts Read Quotes (PDF)

Gramophone November 2011 Guitar Passions “A true symphony of hearts and minds built on the cantus firmus of Isbin’s passion for musical friendship.” Read Article (PDF)

Guitar World Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Sharon Isbin Introduces ‘Guitar Passions’, Featuring Steve Vai, Nancy Wilson, Steve Morse and More “Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin is truly a master ... her new album elevates classical guitar to a whole new level. She masterfully captures what’s unique about each performer’s personality and style and melds it into a new guitarified creation.” Read Article

The New York Times Monday, May 16, 2011 Classical Guitarist Making Herself Heard “... poetry and warmth of the guitar’s timbre: her sound was rounded and buttery throughout ...” Read Article

Sharon Isbin, Journey To The New World, Reviews 2010 GRAMMY AWARD: Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra) 63 Consecutive Weeks Billboard Top Classical Crossover Chart #1 Classical Bestseller Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, iTunes Read Article (PDF)

Nashville SCENE October 22, 2009 Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin shines in performance with Nashville Symphony “Guitar with orchestra has historically been an unusual pairing, but six-string virtuoso Sharon Isbin is changing that...” Read Article

Audio August 2009 CD of the Month, Sharon Isbin, Gitarre, Sony Classical GERMAN Read Article (PDF)

el Nuevo Herald Publicado el martes 21 de julio del 2009, Miami Sharon Isbin, la intimidad de la guitarra SPANISH Read Article

Miami Herald July 18, 2009 A masterful Isbin reigns over the classical guitar “Sharon Isbin, who performed Thursday in Coral Gables, is the instrument's reigning star.” Read Article

Giornale di Sicilia June 1, 2008, Palermo, Italy La chitarrista Isbin strega il pubblico del Politeama ITALIAN Read Article (PDF)

St. Paul Pioneer Press September 18, 2008 Guitarist Sharon Isbin creates rare, totally hushed moment “Her first performance Thursday ... created one of those rare, totally hushed moments that don’t occur often enough in the concert hall.” Read Article

Denver Post March 6, 2008 Guitarist Isbin a knockout with CSO “In what proves to be a knock-out combination, she merges extraordinary technical facility with a clean, lithe style, and, perhaps most important, the evocative power of a keen storyteller.” Read Article

Gramophone February 2007 & April 2005 EDITOR’S CHOICE RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sharon Isbin: The Guitarist on a Real Partnership of Music and Technology “... it’s unusual these days for a major artist and a major orchestra to achieve a genuine recording first in main-stream repertoire.” Read Article (PDF)

Fort Worth Star-Telegram March 9, 2007 Something special Classical guitar master Sharon Isbin shines at Scott “Impeccable voicing and a bell-like clarity added excitement to the samba rhythms of Isaias Savio’s Batucada ...” Read Article

Dallas Morning News March 8, 2007 Isbin fills Caruth with refined guitar playing “Ms. Isbin brought the loveliest improvisational feeling to Enrique Granados’ Spanish Dance No. 5 and generously expressive pliancy to Francisco Tárrega’s Recuerdos de la Alhambra.” Read Article

Sharon Isbin: Christopher Rouse Concert de Gaudí, Tan Dun Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra (Yi2), Reviews 2002 GRAMMY AWARD: Best Classical Contemporary Composition for Christopher Rouse Concert de Gaudí for Guitar & Orchestra Read Article (PDF)

Boston Globe February 13, 2001 Sharon Isbin plays beyond virtuosity “... her playing connects in ways that are deeply instinctual and natural, drawing one into the moment like the best storytelling does.” Read Article

Chicago Tribune June 5, 2000 Sharon Isbin at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall “A journey of a thousand colors begins with the artistry of Sharon Isbin Her obviously deep love of the instrument and its traditions is matched by her flawless intonation, clarity of articulation and ability to spin a warm singing line as subtly and sensitively as any classical recital singer.” Read Article