Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky 'Arrival'.

"The brilliance of Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya set standards of duo guitar playing that have seldom been equalled. The form is a difficult one. Accuracy and precision are of course prime essentials, but the best duos are welded together by something more: a unity of purpose a spirit of excitement and even adventure, an ability not only to play as one instrument but also to think as one musician. Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky, on the evidence of this recording, have that rare capacity. Their performances are alive, zestful, invigorating. It will make new friends for their exuberant playing , and new friends too for the guitar duo form in which so much can be accomplished. Some of the pieces are familiar; some not so familiar, though they deserve to be. All are hugely enjoyable. Hill and Wiltschinsky demonstrate their very wide range by adapting their style successfully to every new requirement, from the English lute tradition of John Johnson to the 20th century composer, Pierre Petit. The Bach invention could scarcely be better chosen; light, airy, fast, it nourishes as it dazzles - perfection in 45 seconds. And has the Queen of Sheba ever made such an exhilarating arrival? It gives me much pleasure to introduce this remarkable record - as much pleasure as I think it will give to those who listen to it." Colin Cooper (Editor Classical Guitar Magazine) HILL/WILTSCHINSKY GUITAR DUO Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky gave their first public recital together in 1973 and have played as a permanent duo ever since, performing extensively worldwide. Through their numerous recordings (over 45 CDs to date), television and radio broadcasts and foreign tours they have established themselves as one of the finest duos in the world. Robin was educated at Bolton School and it was whilst studying at Huddersfield College of Music that he met Peter Wiltschinsky and their partnership was formed. As well as their duo performances they have collaborated with many fine orchestras such as, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra (under Barry Wordsworth), the Irish National Symphony Orchestra and the Caracus Symphony Orchestra. Robin Hill, as a soloist, has also performed Rodrigo’s famous ‘Concierto de Aranjuez” with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, with Carl Davis conducting, (to an audience of 3500), and, in 1997, this same orchestra premiered his own composition ‘Concerto Primavera’, a concerto for guitar and marimba. Robin and Peter have also recorded and played in concert with soprano, Lesley Garrett and Robin has performed with such diverse artists as Luciano Pavarotti, Russell Watson, Atarah Ben Tovim and American soprano, Denise Greaves, at the 2003 Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. He has also played with rock bands Jethro Tull and Deep Purple and toured extensively worldwide with American jazz/soul singer, Madeline Bell! Robin also teaches classical guitar at Leeds University and, for aspiring guitarists, he has written the substantial and highly-acclaimed book, ‘The Guitar Gymnasium’, published by Mel Bay, which is used in conservatories throughout the world. ‘Then the stars came out. Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky are mind-blowing, brain-bogglingly good. You know how good someone is when they make reaching the pinnacle of polished perfection look so effortless. I’ve heard that 3,500 people once gave this pair a standing ovation in Rome. The audience in Conisborough was pretty pleased too.’ Eileen Grey ‘Wonderful for their precision, touch and clarity of sound… refined virtuosity, the achievement of a long interpretive process.’ Il Giornale D’Italia (Rome) ‘There’s nothing they can’t play. The whole evening constituted a breath of stimulating fresh air in a scene where so many duos simply lack the technical equipment to make it to the big time. From Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky anything is possible.’ Colin Cooper ‘Classical Guitar’ Magazine ‘I loved your CD, and thought your technique and performance were fabulous.’ Rick Wakeman Photography: Jonathan Keenan