DYENS Roland

Born on October 19, 1955, French interpreter, composer, arranger and improviser Roland Dyens began guitar studies at the age of nine. Four years later he became a student of  Spanish Master guitarist Alberto Ponce and, in 1976, was awarded the Licence de Concert de l’École Normale de Musique de Paris.

While learning his instrument, Roland Dyens also studied composition with the renowned teacher, composer and conductor Désiré Dondeyne under whose guidance he was awarded the First Prize in Harmony, Counterpoint and Analysis.

Among the most distinguished awards obtained during the early years of his career, Roland Dyens received the Special Prize at the International Competition Città di Alessandria (Italy) and the Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles-Cros, both in honor of the major Brasilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.

At the age of 25 he became a laureate of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation. Eight years after this, he was recognized as one of the “Best Living Guitarists” in all styles by the French magazine Guitarist. On the of September 30^th 2006, he was awarded the “Chitarra d’Oro 2006” for his body of compositions by the Presidency of the Città di Alessandria International Competition. On this same year he joined Productions d’OZ.

The following year, in 2007, he was honoured by the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), which chose him to compose the set piece for its prestigious annual competition, held in Los Angeles. Note that to this date, in less than 6 years, this International Guitar Event has honored three of Roland Dyens’s students at the Conservatoire of Paris with three Top Prizes. In October 2007, during his autumn tour of North America, Roland Dyens’s October 6^th recital in Winnipeg earned five stars from the Winnipeg Free Press. It was only the second time that the daily paper, established in 1872, had awarded such high praise.

On the 27^th of July 2008, his works are again recognized in Italy with the Premio per la Composizione at the 2^nd International Festival of Città di Fiuggi, near Rome.

A few months later, he was privileged to be asked to  compose the music and conduct the ensemble which will be performing in order to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the prestigious Guitar Ensemble Association of Japan. “Soleils levants” was finally premiered on November 9^th 2008 in Nakano Main Hall of Tokyo.

On the 21^st of January 2010, Roland Dyens is honored with the privilege of being the only classical guitarist invited to participate to an homage to the great Django Reinhardt for the centenary of his birth, in a concert given by 100 guitarists at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

In July, 2011, his recital at the International Córdoba Guitar Festival received the highest accolade of the coveted “Five Stars” from the Spanish Press, titling its review “Roland Dyens, El Mago de la guitarra” (the Wizzard of guitar).

Until 2016, among living composers, Roland Dyens was ranked highest in the “Top 100” list of most recorded original works for the guitar throughout the world. Furthermore, 3 of his works are officially part of this ranking, according to the remarkable eponymous work of the Canadian musicologist Enrique Robichaud, published in 2013.

 

Roland Dyens shared the joy of his musical talent through his performing, composing and teaching accross the world. This three-dimensional profile provided the basis for his phenomenal success and his constant evolution.

Always transformative events, Roland Dyens’ concerts unfolded as personal experiences of emotional awakening for the audience. Inspired by the musical unity demonstrated in his concerts, audience members would often later use the impact of the artist’s virtuosity and creativity to guide own perception of music and, more broadly, their lives as well. For those who are unfamiliar with the contours and nuances of classical guitar performance, one often witnessed an inspirational discovery of the instrument and its musical potential.

Roland Dyens had a sensitive and colorful approach to the guitar- an unfailing open-mindedness which brought together all forms of music to each and every one of his programs. His stage presence, his improvised openings and unique relationship with the listeners undeniably positioned him at the forefront of contemporary guitar performance. 

For a long time now, his music has been an integral part of the instrument’s repertoire, placing him at the heart of a select group of contemporary guitarist/composers who enjoy such a privileged position. His compositions and arrangements are widely performed and highly acclaimed throughout the world. They provide a new breath of life for the guitar as this player and composer never ceased to challenge the limitations of his instrument.

The growing number of participants and auditors in Roland Dyens’ master classes was surely due to the depth of his approach which has been rich in innovative themes. With a keen sense of quality and emotional strength, his natural ability to communicate with younger generations of guitarists transformed the formality of a master class into a joyful encounter. 

Teacher at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Roland Dyens passed away on October 29^th 2016.