Gitarrist beim Festival La Noche de la Guitarra 2022 im Konzertsaal.

Gitarrist und Sängerin beim Festival La Noche de la Guitarra 2022.

Photos: Oliver Röckle

Stuttgart International Classic Guitar

The Stuttgart International Classic Guitar Festival (SICG) spans over four days and offers an exclusive platform for the concert guitar in the ideally suited premises of the HMDK Stuttgart. The festival brings together outstanding concerts and masterclasses by renowned virtuosos of the international guitar scene such as Pavel Steidl, Olaf Van Gonnissen, Paul O’Dette, Judicaël Perroy, Laura Young. Workshops and lectures with the invited instructors take place, as well as various exhibitions where guitar makers present their instruments and innovative products related to the classical guitar are offered.

For the students of HMDK Stuttgart, this festival is an annual highlight, and guests from all over Europe also take the opportunity to pursue further education in an inspiring setting, establish valuable contacts, and enjoy a concert daily.

Since the introduction of the "Noche de la Guitarra" by Prof. Johannes Monno in 2005, the festival has rapidly become the leading guitar event in the region. Every year, talented students, teachers, and invited guests present a program featuring highlights of solo and chamber music in the wonderful concert hall of the university, to collectively celebrate the beauty and diversity of classical guitar music.

Inspired by the former rector of HMDK, Prof. Dr. Werner Heinrichs, and supported by Steffen Brunner, an experienced organizer of guitar festivals, the festival has been continuously expanded since 2011 and enjoys unabated popularity among all participants as well as the concert audience.

A special highlight is the Sunday matinee featuring the "Podium of young master guitarists," providing talented young musicians the opportunity to showcase their skills to a curious audience. This platform has paved the way for many established artists today, such as Peter Graneis, Julia Trintschuk, and the Salzburg Guitar Trio.

In the years 2016, 2021, and 2024, the festival was enriched with an international competition for solo guitar. In the year 2025, the internationally acclaimed composer Toshio Hosokawa will compose the compulsory piece for this competition. This will pose a special challenge for the participants, as the winner will have the honor of performing the official premiere of the work at the "Noche de la Guitarra".