Performance Reviews | Nicholas Goluses

“Goluses produced an elegant sound. And the finales, taken dangerously fast, were accurate, transparent, and impressively articulated. Mr. Goluses gave persuasive, energetic readings.”

“The undeniable star was Nicholas Goluses. His interpretation of Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez was nothing short of spectacular. Goluses played with ease and dexterity belying the intricacy of the score.”
– Butler Eagle

“Goluses plays with strength and confidence. Anyone with the technique, intellect, and heart to tackle a program like this is to be admired. Goluses is masterly, a musician’s musician.”
– American Record Guide

“Wit, charm, virtuosity, and depth of feeling, adding up to the humanity to which all artists should aspire. A model of virtuosic display. Goluses was dazzling.”

– New Jersey Star Ledger

“Even more gratifying than the music’s sunny disposition was the chance to hear Nicholas Goluses again. The professor of guitar and director of the guitar programs at the Eastman School of Music was the soloist in the Rodrigo and Vivaldi Concerti. His warm, caramel tone and exceptional musicianship spread throughout the 3,100 seat Eastman Theatre. The Vivaldi was lovingly played, with imaginative improvisations. You could hear a pin drop. The Rodrigo was gorgeous. Goluses worked magic with the bittersweet melodies, like a singer linking poetry and music.”

– Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester)

“MEISTERLICHE KLANGE (masterful sound).” “As soon as one experiences his sensitive approach to the instrument, one is drawn into his world, the world of the guitar. And what he offered his audience in this hour in virtuosity, sound magic, and creative, interpretive intensity was phenomenal.”

– Der Westen (Siegen, Germany)

“Goluses’ technique and lyrical freedom were exemplary. And over the larger span I was most impressed by his sensitivity to subtleties of coloration and phrasing … immaculately and stylishly played.”

– The Buffalo News

“Guitarist Nicholas Goluses eloquently realized the new Concerto with intense lyricism.”

– The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

“The Giuliani Concerto was a demanding vehicle that allowed Goluses to display his extraordinary virtuosity. Fleet finger work, a singing tone and deft use of effects highlighted his impressive performance.

– The Savannah News-Press

“Goluses played with just the right rapt quality that seemed to suspend time. The virtuoso challenges were met with aplomb. Goluses played with verve.”

– Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge)

“CLASSICAL GUITARIST STUNS IN MALIBU CONCERT”

“Goluses, a legend in the world of guitar, smiled as he swayed in harmony with his instrument. He performed the evening’s pièce de résistance (with the LA Philharmonic).”

– Malibu Times

“One of the world’s preeminent classical guitarists.”

– Democrat and Chronicle

“The art of the recital emerges not just in the playing, but also the programming. In his recital on the Kilbourn Concert Series, guitarist Nicholas Goluses excelled in both. The program was ingenious. From each work he drew a distinct character, humanized by his own personality and the luxuriously polished tone of his guitar. Goluses has a relaxed, yet refined playing style and he confirmed his color and voice leading acumen with flair. An exceptional début.”

– Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester)

Nicholas Goluses is a true American master.

– Twentieth Century Guitar

“Goluses reached the highest levels of instrumental virtuosity.”

– Generalanzeiber (Bonn, Germany)

“In the Guitar Concerto, by Bill Dobbins one could not have hoped for a better performance on Thursday from the RPO and Music Director Christopher Seaman and guitarist Nicholas Goluses, who presented the world premiere. Goluses proved to be a technical whiz, tossing off the concerto’s fast outer movements with ease. A sensitive musician, he played the middle Theme and Variations with deep feeling.”

– Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York)

“On Saturday night The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra presented “Grand Premieres & Grand Finales” at The Eastman Theatre. Bill Dobbins’s “Guitar Concerto” — in its world premiere — was the belle of this ball. Guitarist Nicholas Goluses joined the RPO as soloist for the Dobbins piece. Goluses tore into his guitar voraciously one moment, emitting gentle, sweet runs the next.”

-City Newspaper (Rochester, New York)

“Goluses is an impeccable performer. His performance certainly confirmed his reputation that he is an expert on Bach. Nicholas Goluses played with appropriate good humor and virtuosity, with emotion and intensity.”

– Soundboard

“A distinguished soloist. Goluses is very much the technician and remarkable in intensity.”

– Toronto Star

“Nicholas Goluses performed with style and finesse. He is a musician who is intelligent, sensitive, and subtly expressive. His use of rubato is among the finest heard on the guitar. Exquisite musical control.”

– Guitar Review (New York)

“Tuesday night’s guitar concert with Nicholas Goluses was an intense and intimate experience. Goluses impressed in the Fantasia Op.58 by Fernando Sor with his perfectly balanced attack, which resembled in its energetic sound almost that of a piano, and the perfect technique in the left hand, for example in the consistently precisely executed trills. The audience was deeply impressed by the exquisite performance. In the Bach Sonata BWV 1003, Goluses’s outstanding technique was particularly compelling. Joseph Schwanter’s From Afar requires a world-class virtuosic performer to represent the rich orchestral sound quality on a solo-guitar. In his friendly, audience focused manner, Goluses first introduced the listeners to the work before offering his technically perfect and energetic interpretation. The enchanted audience celebrated the emotionally powerful and technically perfect performance with long ovations. Goluses thanked his listeners with two encores. Thanks to the intensive experience in the space of the crypt and the perfect performance by the soloist, the concert will long remain in the minds of all visitors.“

– Soest Press (Germany)