Tom Kerstens’ G Plus Ensemble

For over one hundred and fifty years, the guitar has been languishing on the periphery, overlooked by composers and out of touch with mainstream developments. With very little repertoire written, guitarist Tom Kerstens has taken the lead in commissioning work for himself. Talented young writers such as Joby Talbot, Errollyn Wallen, Max Richter, John Metcalfe and Graham Fitkin have created some truly original work, bringing the guitar to the heart of classical and contemporary music. Approaching composers from outside the classical world is all part of Kerstens’ desire to get compositions for the guitar out to a much wider audience and free from the concert hall.

G Plus means guitar with something else. This can be guitar with other instruments, (e.g. the G Plus ensemble) or guitar with electronics (e.g. the three movements of The Third Fire). Both versions can be found on ‘Utopia’ – their first recording. The G Plus ensemble here consists of two guitars, strings and percussion and features Amanda Cook and Dan Gresson.

Tom Kerstens is Artistic Director of the International Guitar Foundation and Festivals (IGF).