Ana Vidović (born 8 November 1980) is a Croatian classical guitarist. As a guitarist child prodigy, she has won a number of prizes and international competitions all over the world.

Early life

Vidović was born on November 8, 1980, in Karlovac, Croatia. Her father, Ljubomir, played bass guitar and performed with his band nationwide in his youth. She has two older brothers, Viktor, a classical guitarist, and Silvije, a concert pianist. Inspired by her brother Viktor, she started playing guitar at age 5. She attended a music school in her hometown, and began performing at 8. By the age of 11, Vidović was performing internationally and showed such an extraordinary talent that at 13, she became the youngest student to attend the Academy of Music in Zagreb (at the time of the Croatian War of Independence). She studied with Professor István Römer, graduating in 1998.

In a review of one of her performances in 2006, Stephen Brookes of The Washington Post wrote: "her playing [...] was virtually immaculate – detailed, precise and polished. But this was no mere virtuosic display. Vidovic's playing is nuanced and intensely personal, both deeply felt and deeply thought." Guitar Reviews Stephen Griesgraber noted "It is difficult to know where to begin when discussing the enormous talents of Ana Vidovic. Her dynamic range, beauty of sound, precision of articulation and virtuosity are such that listening becomes more of an absolute musical experience."

She cites Paco de Lucía as a role model, John Williams as a significant musical inspiration, along with many other composers and musicians. She mentioned Jacqueline du Pré's performance of the Elgar Concerto as one of her favorite classical CDs.

Vidović plays a Jim Redgate guitar exclusively and said, "[Several] years ago, I tried a Redgate [...] and felt an immediate connection [...].

This is a very special instrument that you could explore for many years."

Discography

;CDs

  • Ana Vidovic, Croatia Records, 1994
  • Ana Vidović - Guitar, BGS Records (BGCD 103), 1996
  • The Croatian Prodigy, BGS, 1999
  • Guitar Recital: Ana Vidovic, Naxos Laureate Series (8.554563), 2000
  • Ana Vidovic Live!, Croatia Records, 2001
  • Moreno-Torroba: Guitar Music, Vol. 1, Naxos (8.557902), 2007
  • Live at Hampden Hall, Octave Records, 2023

;DVDs

  • Ana Vidovic: Guitar Virtuoso, Mel Bay Publications Inc. (21186DVD), 2006
  • Ana Vidovic: Guitar Artistry in Concert, Mel Bay Publications Inc. (21991DVD), 2009

References

  • Official site
  • Naxos CD releases
  • Interview with NY Classical Guitar Society in 2007
  • Interview with Tokafi Guitar Magazine in 2007
  • Live Performance at the Kennedy Center in 2004
  • Interview with Cithara (Luxembourg) in 2003