An interview with Craig Ogden

Australian born guitarist Craig Ogden studied guitar from the age of seven. He is one of the world's finest classical guitarists, with a laid back and natural approach to playing guitar. He released his debut solo album for Classic FM, 'The Guitarist' last summer and it went straight to number one.

Craig, what award are you up for?

The Classic Brits 2011 Album of the Year Award

You're Australian, but up for a Brit, how did that happen?

Persistence mainly! I've been based in the UK since 1990 and have been hugely fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living, ie. playing the guitar! I've recorded a few CDs over the years but my Classic FM album of last summer - 'Craig Ogden The Guitarist' is the most popular by far. Popular enough to have been shortlisted for this award!

Have you been nominated before?

No!

How does it feel?

Hugely gratifying as it represents the fact that a lot of people bought and hopefully enjoyed my album. Reaching out to as many people as possible is immensely important for any performer but not always easy to do. Classic FM gave me this opportunity by asking me to do The Guitarist and it's amazing that it has been so successful.

Who are you up against?

It's a tough list of some famous and fabulous performers including Aled Jones, Bryn Terfel and Russell Watson to saying nothing of the Benedictine Nuns of Notre Dame, The Priests and the RAF Central Band.

So you're up against Nuns, priests and the armed forceswhat are your chances?

In all honesty, I must be the least known of all the artists so it's unlikely that I will win despite the fantastic support I've had from friends, colleagues, students and acquaintances. Some of the others have had some high profile television exposure which has huge reach and it has to be assumed that there is some voting power in both the church and the armed forces!

How do you feel about your album? Did you imagine it might be nominated?

I thought that it was a lovely collection of music that had the potential to be enjoyed by all sorts of people. I was particularly pleased that I was able to include some beautiful new music by extremely talented friends of mine including Gary Ryan, Callum Dewar and Bill Lovelady, along with the well known tunes by established composers. I never for a second contemplated it performing well in the charts or being nominated for a Classic Brit so that's all a huge bonus.

Who would win your Classic FM album of the year?

I couldn't possibly say!!

Who are you looking forward to meeting/seeing on the night?

I'd love to meet Bryn Terfel who is undeniably one of the best opera singers the world has ever seen and by all accounts a genuinely down to earth guy too. The whole Royal Albert Hall will be full of interesting people so I intend to smile, chat and shake hands with anyone who comes near me!

How important is the Classic Brits?

It's the most publicly visible celebration of classical music in the UK. Anything that puts classical music and musicians in front of the general public is definitely a good thing! The most prominent awards often feature crossover artists or projects but it also celebrates some of the best in the more serious side of the classical music industry so there is a good balance there.

Will you be following this album up with another?

Yes! I have another Classic FM album coming out on June 6. This one is called Summertime and is full of well known tunes - some well known guitar music and some other popular classics specially arranged for guitar with a few of the tracks including some lovely string backings. It should be the perfect accompaniment for summer (if we have the right weather!)

I hear you had your precious guitar stolen recently!

Yes I did! I was booked to play at a memorial service and invited to join the family for lunch beforehand. I stored my guitar at the church before going off to lunch in a taxi which is when the guy stole it and then went and did EXACTLY the same thing to a colleague of mine immediately afterwards. It was all a con!