Three internationally renowned artists come together for a rare program dedicated to the work of Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti.
Mario Forte – violin
Dimitar Ivanov – 10-string guitar
Mihail Ivanov – double bass
Three internationally renowned artists come together for a rare program dedicated to the work of Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, combining universal musical structures drawn from his long career with modern improvisation.
Rarely performed in concert due to its musical complexity, technical demands, and the scarcity of published scores, this repertoire draws from Brazilian folklore and stands at the crossroads of classical music and jazz.
The trio brings together musicians from diverse artistic backgrounds: Dimitar Ivanov, whose path is deeply rooted in classical music, highlights the ten-string classical guitar — a little-known instrument with a rich tradition — while Mario Forte and Mihail Ivanov are jazz musicians whose musical languages have been shaped by extensive travels and a wide range of influences.
Egberto Gismonti is a Brazilian composer, pianist, and guitarist originally from Carmo, now based in Rio de Janeiro. He studied piano and classical music in Nova Friburgo, a town in the state of Rio de Janeiro with Swiss historical roots that at the time offered a Parisian-style musical education system.
At the age of 23, Egberto received a scholarship to continue his piano studies at the prestigious Vienna Conservatory. Faced with the strict demands of the Viennese school, he instead chose to move to Paris at the invitation of the Franco-Swiss singer Marie Laforêt. There, he studied composition with Nadia Boulanger and Jean Barraqué, a disciple of Anton Webern and Arnold Schoenberg.
His study of the guitar was entirely self-taught. Egberto himself describes it as “playing the piano on the guitar.” Through extensive experimentation and the integration of his influences, he developed highly personal tunings, techniques, and compositions for the ten-string guitar. These techniques, and his unique approach to the instrument, stem from his pianistic vision and are inseparable from his musical style, compositional voice, and improvisational abilities.
Egberto’s work is often considered to lie somewhere between jazz and classical music. His influences draw from Brazilian traditional music as well as composers such as Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, and other classical and modern composers. Following the advice of his teacher Nadia Boulanger, Egberto returned to Brazil after his studies in Paris and settled in the Amazon to live alongside the Sapain and Xingu Indigenous peoples in order to study their music. This unique experience led to the recording of the album Sol do Meio Dia (“Noon Sun”). Egberto described his experience with the Indigenous communities as the integration of the musician, the music, and the instrument into an indivisible unity.
Egberto is a musician constantly on tour, performing solo, as an orchestral soloist, or in other ensembles, notably with Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos, with whom he appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1984. He has collaborated with jazz legends such as Jan Garbarek, Charlie Haden, and John McLaughlin.
For more than fifty years, the Brazilian composer’s music has continued to evolve. He writes for ballet, film, symphony orchestras, and various ensembles, and has recorded more than seventy albums. His work is remarkable for its rhythmic power, the technical challenges of his compositions, bold harmonies, and enchanting melodies, as well as for his ability to convey life experiences through his music.
Here is what the composer wrote regarding the project *Homage to Egberto Gismonti*:
“Over the past few weeks, I received an email from Dimitar Ivanov introducing me to his latest project, *Homage to Egberto Gismonti*.
Although I knew him through other singular and courageous projects, I was surprised to hear my compositions interpreted with such mastery and intimacy. I was equally struck by his familiarity with my musical language, born from the thinking of those who play both piano and guitar — instruments whose techniques, phrasing, and polyrhythms demand a strong sense of independence.
I am very happy that he has found this freedom through his study, dedication, and competence — elements that made this project possible.
In my opinion, Dimitar Ivanov represents the MUSICIAN upon whom music depends in order to survive.
I sincerely thank you, Dimitar, for your courageous, musical, and deeply moving dedication. I also thank you for the surprise and inspiration of hearing you, realizing that you have brought to life all the pieces that make up the program of your project *Homage to Egberto Gismonti*.”
Bulgarian guitarist Dimitar Ivanov is recognized for the singularity of his artistic language and for his pioneering work with the ten-string guitar. His interpretations bring together classical tradition, Balkan musical idioms, and contemporary influences, resulting in rich and captivating programs that are profound, accessible, and immediately expressive.
Praised for his “guitaristic heroism” by Robert Fripp and for his ability to translate complex pianistic textures onto the guitar by Avishai Cohen, he stands out as a remarkably versatile musician.
He studied at HEMU–Sion, the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, and HEM–Geneva, where he trained with guitarist George Vassilev and further developed his artistic vision with composer and guitarist Dušan Bogdanović.
Regularly performing as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, he has appeared at festivals such as Lavaux Classic, Sion Guitar Days, and the Varna Summer International Music Festival. He is also co-founder of the Duo Synaphé with guitarist Angela Kleger, with whom he recorded an acclaimed version of the Goldberg Variations for two ten-string guitars, released by Naxos and nominated for the International Classical Music Awards.
Among roughly ten albums in his discography are *Solo Ten*, *Goldberg Variations*, and *Homage to Egberto Gismonti* (solo). Regarding this recording, Egberto Gismonti praised the work as master craftsmanship.
Alongside his performing career, he is also a composer, arranger, and founder of [Éditions Synaphé](https://www.synaphe-editions.com?utm\_source=chatgpt.com), dedicated to expanding the repertoire for the ten-string guitar. Through his work, Dimitar Ivanov redefines the technical and expressive possibilities of his instrument.
https://www.dimitarivanov.org
Mario Forte is a Franco-Italian violinist, composer, and conductor whose eclectic musical language blends classical music, jazz, contemporary creation, and world traditions.
Born in Tlemcen and raised between France and Italy, he began music at the age of three and violin at four. He pursued more than twenty years of training in several conservatories, culminating at the Paris Conservatory, where he graduated in 2010. He notably studied with major figures such as Didier Lockwood, Glenn Ferris, and Ida Haendel.
He was later appointed Associate Professor of Music at HEMU–Lausanne, where he founded the String Lab Ensemble, an orchestral project reflecting his innovative and transdisciplinary approach.
Now based in New York City, he has performed in around thirty countries. His artistic journey has led him through a wide range of worlds: Arabo-Andalusian traditions in Morocco, jazz collaborations in Mexico, experimental projects in New York, and festivals throughout Europe. In Switzerland, he co-founded the Artempo Festival, of which he serves as artistic director.
Alongside his performing career, he is also active as a composer, writing for ensembles, film, and multimedia projects. He is currently working on a film project extending his artistic vision beyond the musical field.
https://www.marioforte.com
Mihail Ivanov (Misho) is a Bulgarian double bassist, composer, and improviser recognized as a singular voice in contemporary European jazz. His work combines classical training, jazz tradition, and free improvisation, with particular attention to collective listening and intercultural dialogue.
After studying in Bulgaria, he continued his education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, at the heart of an international and experimental scene that profoundly shaped his artistic identity.
Active on the European scene since 2007, he gained recognition at the North Sea Jazz Festival, which marked the beginning of his international career. The following year, he won the Dutch Jazz Competition with the Blazin’ Quartet, as well as the award for Best Soloist.
His playing, characterized by depth of sound and refined phrasing, prioritizes interaction and collective expression. An essential dimension of his work lies in the integration of Balkan traditions into contemporary jazz.
He has collaborated with numerous international artists, including Itamar Borochov, Magic Malik, Lizz Wright, and Michael Mossman.
As a composer, he develops a musical language exploring the balance between structure and improvisation. After living in Amsterdam, Rome, and Mumbai, he is now based in Sofia, where he continues his projects while maintaining an active presence on the international scene.
https://www.mihailivanovbass.com
