For our first ‘Listen to the World’ concert of the season we’re exciting to be hosting Havana-born classical guitarist Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas, accompanied by Northern Irish flutist, Danielle Rogan, for Cuban inspired compositions by Grammy nominee composer, Eduardo Martin. Ahmed is one of the finest performers of the Cuban classical Guitar Movement, and Eduardo a gifted composer for guitar and flute, so this promises to be a wonderful night!
About Ahmed
“You are left with the sensation of being touched to the core by exquisitely played pieces” Songlines
“A true pioneer” … Classic FM Magazine
“And here Dickinson Cardenas’ sweet, rounded tone and sensitive phrasing really come to the fore” Gramophone
Havana-born Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas is one of the finest performers of the Cuban Guitar Movement. He is a sophisticated virtuoso on his instrument and an ambassador of Cuban culture. Since graduating from both the Royal College and Guildhall School of Music and Drama he has performed in prestigious venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, toured extensively around Europe, presented innumerable UK premieres, and released several critically acclaimed recordings. His latest CD Ilusión y Verdad is out now on Parma Recording (USA).
Over the last 15 years, Ahmed has established a successful career in the UK, whilst maintaining a performance profile and strong links with Cuba.
Ahmed is widely recognised as an ambassador both for the music and musicians of his native country. In 2008, Ahmed founded Cubafilin Records – a record label dedicated to the exclusive promotion of Cuban musicians and their original works. For nearly ten years, Ahmed enjoyed the great privilege of collaborating with the prolific late guitarist and composer – Jose Antonio (Ñico) Rojas. Ahmed transcribed Rojas’ extensive unpublished works during this period, and subsequent performances and recording earned two prizes at the Cubadisco Awards 2009, Best Instrumental Soloist & Best Instrumental Album. The same album was nominated for Best Artist & Best Newcomer in Songlines World Music Magazine, and Best Album & Best Single at the Latin American Music Awards UK.
Passionate in his collaboration with other artists, Ahmed has released seven albums. He has also worked with Chineke!, soprano Laura Mitchell, Fiorella Camilleri, flamenco Jazz guitarist Eduardo Niebla, Cuban percussionist Hammadi Rencurrell, violinists Emma Blanco, the Santiago Quartet, and led the Cuban Guitar Orchestra Sonantas Habaneras in Havana for two years.
Danielle
Northern Irish flutist Danielle is a freelance orchestral, chamber and solo musician based in London. She has worked with London Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Mozart Symphony Orchestra and Wexford Festival Opera. She has played on commercial recordings and on RTÉ Lyric FM, and performed in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, Cadogan Hall, Hammersmith Appollo and the National Concert Hall Dublin.
Danielle has appeared in several recital series including ‘Making an Entrance’ at Castletown House Kildare, Live@St. Mark’s Hamilton Terrace and St Saviour’s Church Pimlico. She performed at the 2022 Euro Knowledge Awards in the House of Lords, and around the world on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Danielle was a member of Euterpe Wind Quintet, Galway Music Residency ‘Apprentice Ensemble of the Year 2018’, and is currently a member of the World Harmony Orchestra.
Danielle graduated with a Masters in Performance with distinction from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where her teachers were William Dowdall and Patricia Morris. She previously studied with Elizabeth Bennett during her Bachelor degree at Queen’s University and Richard Davis at the Royal Northern College of Music. She also had memorable masterclass experiences with James Galway, William Bennett, Michael Cox, Lorna McGhee and Paul Edmund Davies, and completed orchestral training with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Danielle is grateful for the support of the Arts Council NI, who awarded her the ‘Musical Instruments for Individuals’ grant in 2020. In 2008 she was awarded the ‘Sam Mahood’ bursary by Banbridge District Arts Council.
‘Listen to the World’ is a place of live music where the traditions and talents of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers find a home among local artists. A playlist of shorts and other recordings from the Listen to the World programme can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@StEthelburgasLondon
Co-ordinator: For all questions about Listen to the World or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Jo Winsloe Slater at jo.winsloe@stethelburgas.org.