Lithuanians in the news
19th June, 2005
Gareth Koch - Classical Guitarist
Gareth Koch playing his Dances from Spain
at the Wyvern Music Club recital
A brilliant solo recital by the Lithuanian heritage Australian classical guitarist Gareth (Gerutis) Koch thrilled the audience in Sydney at the Wyvern Music Club last Sunday evening, 19th June 2005. Gareth’s mother is the classical pianist Irena Vilnonytë-Grant. This recital was one of a series of recitals by Gareth throughout Australia, including an earlier "full house" recital that day for the ABC 'SUNDAY LIVE' at the Eugene Goosens Hall, Ultimo. Next month Gareth will be leaving for an extended overseas tour with Saffire - The Australian Guitar Quartet, of which he is a founding member.
Gareth Koch studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, Royal Madrid Conservatorium and the Vienna Academy of Music. He has had an extensive performing career as a soloist and chamber musician and has played with Europe’s best contemporary ensembles. Saffire’s debut album became a best seller in the Australian Classical Music charts and won an ARIA for best Classical Album in 2003. When not performing, Gareth is a Senior Lecturer in Guitar at the University of Newcastle.
In his solo recital last Sunday evening, Gareth played his own arrangement of Carl Orff’s "Carmina Burana" and his own compositions - a set of Dances from Spain. His playing manifested a superb technique and outstanding musicianship. The Australian Lithuanian community is proud of Gareth’s achievements and wishes him even greater success in the future!

Gareth Koch’s website is www.garethkoch.com