Work & Activities

According to the German magazine Staccato, "... José Manuel plays very confidently. At all times the sensation that he guides us through his music with great transparency prevails." Classical Guitar magazine said about his debut in England, "... scored full marks in a very memorable performance ... displayed a range of technical expertise and delicate emotions ... a secure technique, a beautiful tone and imaginative interpretational skills ..." Critics in the USA have noted Mr. Dapena as, " ... a talented guitarist and an artistic proponent of the Spanish culture ... a great Spanish master of the guitar ... a player with stirring musicality". José Manuel Dapena has a wide international experience, playing in places such as Raitt Recital Hall - Los Angeles, Brand Library - Glendale, South Bay, Playa Del Rey, The Fret house - California, Coral Gables - Miami, French Library - Boston, Leaking Hall - Baltimore, Henegar Arts Center - Melbourne, St. Paul's, Instituto Cervantes - New York, The Three Arts, Church of Evanston - Chicago, C. Cathedral - Hartford (USA), Johannesgasse Konzertsaal - Vienna (Austria), Atrium de Chaville - Paris, Instituto Cervantes - Lyon (France), Sala Maia - Oporto (Portugal), Philippos Nakas - Athens (Greece), Palazzo Borsalino - Alessandria (Italy), Yotsuya Kumin may - Gendai Guitar - Tokyo (Japan), Fundación Juan March - Madrid (Spain), King John's House - Point Dance & Arts Centre - Southampton, Greenwood Centre - Twickenham, Knott Memorial Hall - Newcastle, Cedar Park - Derby, Instituto Cervantes - Manchester, Bognor Regis, Norwegian Church - Wales, Lauderdale House, Latin Quarter - London (England), Souza Lima - Sao Paulo, Cecilia Meireles, Museu Naif - Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), The Ulster College - Belfast, Royal Dublin Society (Ireland), University of Glasgow, Scotland. His repertoire is especially diverse, ranging from transcriptions of Bach and other earlier composers to works of the present day. He also has a unique interest in presenting monographic concert programs. His latest work in this field has been a recital including the complete sonatas of Fernando Sor and Joaquín Turina's complete works for solo guitar to commemorate the 50th year after this composer's passing. Turina's grandson José Luis, also a noted composer said: "He possesses an extensive musical background, in written as well as in analytical aspects, which enhances his brilliant professional career." As a Musiclas International artist, he has recorded his debut CD: "Rincón mágico Spanish music by Joaquín Turina on original manuscripts." He has broadcasted on numerous radio stations in Europe and the United States, one of which was a complete live concert on New England's largest classical radio station WGBH (Boston). In print he has been interviewed in London by Classical Guitar magazine and in Tokyo by Gendai Guitar. In 2006, uniting his sixth concert tour in the United States, fifth in Europe and second in Japan, he presented music for guitar from 1936 to 1939 by Antonio José, J. Turina and J. Rodrigo. This program, for his first world tour, was presented in remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War for audiences in New York, London and Tokyo. Since José Manuel Dapena first began studying the classical guitar, he took classes in Spain with David Russell who had a great influence on his conception of the instrument and wrote: "He is an excellent player with a strong warm tone, agile technique and is able to bring magic to the musical phrases." Dapena also studied under Manuel Barrueco at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland. Upcoming highlights in the US and Europe for the 2007/2008 season include debuts at Carnegie Hall sponsor by the Spanish Embassy, Columbia, Miami and Bangkok guitar festival.

On 12th March 2011, he gave a concert at  Cervantes Institute in Tunisia, which was the first cultural action of this institution after the Tunician revolt.