Roberto Aussel
(1954–2026)
Farewell to a great friend of the Greek classical guitar
Roberto Aussel was one of the most luminous and essential figures in the world of classical guitar in recent decades. His passing, sadly at a highly creative age, marks the end of an important artistic journey, but also the beginning of a legacy that will continue to inspire musicians and listeners around the world.
Born in 1954 in La Plata, Argentina, he came into contact with the guitar at a very young age—only seven years old. His talent was cultivated systematically by Jorge Martínez Zárate, the teacher who shaped his artistic foundation and passed on to him a profound understanding of musical expression and sound.
International recognition soon followed. His early distinctions in major guitar competitions—such as Radio France, Porto Alegre, and the Alirio Díaz Competition in Caracas—opened the way to a brilliant career. From then on, Aussel became a much sought-after soloist, with a steady presence on the most important stages of Europe, Latin America, and, from the 1990s onward, the United States.
Alongside his concert activity, he devoted a large part of his life to teaching. For more than twenty-five years, he was a professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne, shaping generations of guitarists and imparting not only technical mastery but a complete artistic philosophy.
His repertoire stood out for its breadth and depth: from Baroque works to contemporary music, from the European classical tradition to the popular and urban music of Latin America. A special place in his career was held by contemporary creation, as he collaborated closely with leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries—many of whom were inspired to write works specifically for him.
Of historical importance was his relationship with Astor Piazzolla. In 1981, Piazzolla dedicated to him the Five Pieces for Guitar, a landmark work that marked the great Argentine composer’s entry into the guitar repertoire.
Roberto Aussel did not confine himself to the concert stage or the classroom. For decades, he curated editorial series dedicated to the guitar, contributing substantially to the dissemination and study of the repertoire—first with the historic publishing house Éditions Henry Lemoine in Paris, and later with his own “Biblioteca Roberto Aussel,” which bore his personal artistic imprint.
His contribution was recognized with major awards, such as the Konex de Platino in Argentina and the José Tomás Honorary Award in Spain. His final recording, Tangos y Milongas (2019), is a deeply poetic farewell to the music of Buenos Aires and the Argentine pampas, summarizing his identity and sensitivity.
Equally special and profound was Roberto Aussel’s relationship with Greece and the Greek guitar community. He was not merely an international soloist who visited our country, but a true friend of the Greek guitar—with a steady presence, meaningful contribution, and sincere interest in its people and music.
In Greece, he left behind memories of concerts that remain etched in the minds of those who experienced them—performances of the highest artistic level, full of intensity, depth, and that unique sense of communication that characterized his interpretation. He also participated as a teacher in important Greek guitar seminars and festivals, generously sharing his knowledge, experience, and artistic thought with younger and older guitarists alike. For many Greek musicians, contact with him was decisive—not only on a technical level, but also in a deeply musical and human sense.
Here at TAR.GR, we bid farewell to him not only as a great artist of international stature, but also as a friend and collaborator.
Roberto Aussel was a key contributor to landmark guitar concerts organized in Greece in past decades—events that left a lasting mark and decisively shaped the country’s guitar life. His first appearances were made possible through the initiative and vision of TAR’s founder, Notis Mavroudis, and his collaborators on the printed TAR magazine of the 1980s, at a time when the guitar in Greece was seeking and building its contemporary identity.
Roberto Aussel’s presence at those concerts was not merely artistic—it was spiritual. He helped connect the Greek guitar scene with the international world, brought new aesthetics, opened new paths, and strengthened a creative dialogue that continues to bear fruit to this day.
We bid him farewell with gratitude and respect—for the music he gave us, for his generosity as a teacher, for his friendship and collaboration, and for the mark he left not only on the great international stages but also in the heart of the Greek guitar. His memory will remain alive through his work and through all those who continue to be inspired by him.
Kostas Grigoreas
(guitarist-composer)
https://grigoreas.com
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