BIO

Prize winner in several competitions, Massimo was just 15 when ranked first at the 4th Ancona National Guitar Contest. In 1982 he won the second prize at "Mauro Giuliani" International Competition and one year later he won the “Rome International Young Performers' Competition”, open to all instruments. He got his full marks Guitar Diploma in Rome Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music and had some MasterClasses with Manuel Barrueco, he has been in concert career in Italy and abroad (UK, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, USA, Middle and Far East...), regularly appearing in International Guitar Festivals, as well as solo player, with orchestra and St.Cecilia Guitar Trio member.
 His solo recordings have been receiving great reviews and to their high quality by international guitar magazines and his solo World Premiere Recording CD of the Italian guitarist/composer Mario Gangi's 22 Studies has been a great success, winning astonishing estimations by performers and composers too. In 2003 he has been awarded in Rome the Gold Pegasus Prize for Classical Music and in 2004 the City of Rome Prize as a tribute to his professional activity after he made the guitar enter the Rome new Auditorium “Parco della Musica”, giving a sold out Concierto De Aranjuez performance.
Currently he is active as teacher too, being chair professor at L'Aquila Conservatory of Music and giving permanent master-class courses (Accademia Romana di Musica, Santo Tirso Festival-Portugal, Arts Academy, Accademia Musicale Pescarese, Istanbul Guitar Festival, Izmir Conservatory, Valencia Torrent Guitar Festival, Cyprus EMU Guitar Festival, Perugia Classico, Giuliani Guitar Festival, Iserlhon Guitar Symposium, Rust Guitar Festival, Miami Guitar Festival...). Also, Massimo is interested in new music technologies managing a project of “contamination” between the classical and midi guitar by endorsing the famous Canadian “Godin Guitars” midi classical guitar maker.
He is art director of the Cassino Guitar Festival and The Guitar Days at L’Aquila Conservatory.
Massimo Delle Cese is playing Savarez Alliance strings on a Mikhail Robert guitar.
 

 

 

Critics & reviews

...With the release of this world premiere recording ... Massimo Delle Cese has a fabulous touch and seems to be the perfect role model for anyone studying these wonderful pieces... consider having a look (and a listen) to this excellent music.
 Steve Marsh Classical Guitar Magazine  UK

...squisita sensibilità e tecnica consumata... Avvenire
...il pubblico ha accolto con larghi consensi l' esecuzione del giovane chitarrista Massimo Delle Cese...
Chitarra e Musica
...pregevole esecuzione, che ha ben messo in luce le atmosfere suscitate dalle musiche in programma...
Il Tempo
...he is an admirable artist...his sense of programming is superb... an artist of international stature...
 Robert Luse - The Straits Time
Massimo produces an exceptionally distinguished tone...his performance compelled total attraction of a riceptive audience...
Colin Cooper

 ... nella vostra collezione non può mancare questo CD (...) una bellissima sorpresa per i chitarristi di oggi e di ieri...una nuova certezza per quelli di domani. L'interpretazione di Delle Cese non mostra il benché minimo cedimento ...  un suono luminoso e ricco.
 Francesco Biraghi - Il Fronimo Italy

Ho ascoltato il tuo cd appena arrivato e mi è parso un bellissimo lavoro e penso anche che questa incisione sia valida per dare nuova luce alle opere di Gangi.
Paolo Pegoraro Italy

 ...original, accessible, superbly recorded … this is a superb recording… and it will Gangi's music its right place!
 Paul Fowles UK

 Congratulations for this fine effort. I was not familiar with Gangi's music and am quite impressed with it. Your playing is equally impressive!
 Dean Kamei GSP-San Francisco USA

 I received yesterday the cd and I already listened it three times ! I loved the music, the amazing recording quality and mostly your musicality, your wonderful interpretation, Gangi must be very proud of you ! Thank you very much for letting me know about this clever and beautiful music for guitar.
 Ricardo Moyano Argentina

I have listened to it over and over, it is really first class, an important work done superbly! You are a Major artist.  And the music is also an important contribution to guitar. One more time- BRAVO and thank you.
 Mikhail Robert - Guitar Maker - Canada

 Desidero ... complimentarmi per il tuo lodevole lavoro discografico;  sia per la scelta di dedicare a Gangi le tue energie esecutive, che per l'alta qualità del CD. Complimenti!
 Michele Libraro Mottola Guitar Festival Director IT

Thanks very much for your CD.  It was a nice surprise when I returned home.  I have enjoyed listening to it!  I like the pieces and your playing too!
 Ken Murray Victoria University - Austalia

Gracias por tu CD dedicado a nuestro querido maestro Mario Gangi. Es magnifico!!. Enhorabuena por la sensibilidad y virtuisismo demostrado. Me ha gustado mucho tu interpretación.
 Jorge Orozco Spain

 Cher Massimo,
merci beaucoup pour votre tres beeau CD, sur les 22 etudes du Maestro Gangi. J'ai beaucoup appècié votre sensibilité, et l'expression trés naturel de votre jeu.  J'aime beaucoup la musique de Mario Gangi, sensible et genereuse comme l'est votre interpretation. Bravo pour votre trvail!
 Francis Kleynjans France

Ho ascoltato il tuo CD.  Veramente molto bello!
Il suono è molto piacevole e la tua technica è perfetta. Complimenti!
 Frank Koonce Arizona State University - Guitar Dept. USA

ll the 22 studies are very interesting, as musically than technically.... you are a very good ambassador of this music. It's superbely played, and you have a very good sound indeed!
 Eric Fanceries France

Dear Massimo, I really enjoyed your CD: you play very, very well. Congratulations on your playing and on the choice of repertoire.
 Carlos Bonell  UK

 Caro Massimo, grazie per il CD! É veramente  una registrazione dove si trovano idee, fantasia, musicalitá e una eccellente tecnica. Anche la scelta del programma mi piace molto. Non ho avuto la fortuna di conoscere Gangi e mi riempie di gioia vedere (sentire) grazie a te, che Mario Gangi era un gran musicista; un musicista fortunato oggi di avere un tal eccellente interprete.  
Carlo Domeniconi  Germany

 I have been listening to it, and I would really like to say that I think it is very very good and above all very musical, it breathes music.
Brian Jeffery Tecla Edition UK

 Massimo Delle Cese con questo CD riempie un vuoto che è esistito per molto tempo...un'interpretazione di notevole statura...entusiasmo e pertinenza stilistica...la sua esperienza concertistica traspare in modo evidente...
 Maurizio Colonna Guitar Club Magazine - IT

 I have to tell you,  I like it very much. Each of the studies is a wonderful little miniature and he plays them so well!
 Reed Gilchrist California Guitar Festival - USA

 Te mando un saludo desde Argentina,  ha sido un gusto verte y escucharte en Valencia. He escuchado el CD con los estudios del maestro Gangi y es un bellísimo trabajo. Felicitaciones!
 Eduardo Isaac Argentina