Classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić plays the National Concert Hall on 7 March as part of its International Concert Series 2023/2024.. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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Miloš, sometimes known just by his mononym MILOŠ, has earned legions of fans worldwide for his revival of classical guitar and his performances and recordings.
His debut album, Baroque, presents Miloš’s own take on Baroque works arranged for guitar with ensemble Arcangelo.
Known as the "hottest classical guitarist in the world", his career began its rise in 2011, with the release of his international best-selling debut album Mediterraneo.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I always think that you should ask others to speak about you and it's very difficult for me to say things about myself but if I have to they would be: That I am very curious because I am always attracted to things and people and to learning new things, to discovering new things. And in this way, I'm incredibly curious.
I'm also very positive - I tend to see the good things and I always try to focus on the good things in people and situations. I very often feel that this gives better results.
And the third thing I would say is that I like to have fun because I like to laugh and be happy and relaxed with my friends and my family. These are the little things that make life worth living.
How would you describe your music?
Well, first of all, it's not my music because I play other people's music. But the way I make music, I always aim to find the truth and the depth of what the composer intended. The music always manages to travel into the deepest layers of my personality and my emotions. This is what I always try to share with all the honesty I possibly have with audiences, or if I'm making recordings.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I'm inspired by musicians from all over the spectrum. Because great music and great musicians exist in all genres. I tend to see music as one universal thing rather than separate entities of genre. My musical inspirations are equally Django Reinhardt, Nina Simone, and Maria Callas.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Oh, it's very hard to remember that but the first classical concert that I remember being in awe of was in the first couple of weeks of coming to London and studying at the Royal Academy of Music. My best friend took me to see Anne Sophie Mutter playing Beethoven with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. And I just thought that the woman was an absolute queen. And she still is an absolute queen! Only a few weeks ago, I saw her at the same place, playing John Williams, and she's just unreal.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I ever bought was John Williams, of course, the guitarist who is my biggest hero and who is just extraordinary. In my formative years, when I was living in Montenegro and I didn't have access to great live performances, listening to his albums was everything to me. His sound and his aesthetic were what I wanted and what I was aiming to achieve. And to this day, I would say that in a guitar sense, he's my biggest inspiration.
What's your favourite piece right now?
My favourite piece right now would have to be Bach’s Chaconne. I've been playing it in a lot in concerts and it's one of the deepest and most profound pieces ever written. In fact, I think it is probably the greatest piece of instrumental music ever written by any composer.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I'm not very good with lyrics because I'm a foreigner and I tend to pretend to know the words of songs and I very often sing it out loud with all the wrong words. So, I don't know. When I'm feeling low, I like to listen Elton John’s Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It probably wouldn't be a song, I think it will be a piece of classical music. And as of today, it would have to be Mahler’s Symphony No.5.
Where can people find your music and more information?
My website has more information about me, my recordings and where you can see me live. You can find my music on all streaming platforms to listen to. I'm very lucky that the curiosity that I was talking about in the first question led me to such varied repertoire. And when you look at my albums, you will find so many different things and I'm very, very proud of that.
Alan Corr
