Per-Olov Kindgren Classical Guitarist
Per-Olov Kindgren (born June 10, 1956 in Bogotá, Colombia) is a Swedish classical guitarist, composer and music teacher known for his classical guitar playing ranging from Bach to The Beatles.
Biography
Early life
Kindgren was born in Bogotá, Colombia to a Swedish father and a Danish mother. Per-Olov's father Owe, an engineer, worked for the Colombian branch of LM Ericsson installing telephone stations. The family returned to Stockholm when Per-Olov was three years old. He lived there from 1960 till 1970. At the age of six Per-Olov was fascinated by a bright red electric guitar in a shop window. The Beatles became his heroes, and he especially admired Paul McCartney. His parents acquired a classical guitar for his seventh birthday present. In 1970 he saw a documentary about John Williams broadcast on Danish national television, and from that day on, he knew what he wanted to become. When Per-Olov was 14 years old, his family moved to the border town Helsingør in Denmark. In doing so he could more easily attend a Swedish high school in Helsingborg, where he met his first classical guitar teacher Torvald Nilsson.Professional life
In 1976 he began to study at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he moved during his studies and where he lives and works today. He studied there for 7 years with professor Per-Olof Johnson until his graduation in 1983. Even while continuing his studies, he became a music teacher, teaching at both music schools in Vallensbæk and Gentofte for 24 years. Presently Kindgren only works as a music teacher at the music school in Gentofte. His work as a music teacher provides him with a steady living along with the concerts he performs. In 1979 he joined with three other guitarists, Steffen Broe Christensen, Dag Egil Berge and Torsten Borbye Nielsen, forming the Nordic Guitar Quartet. which performed more than 400 concerts throughout the years. Per-Olov composes pieces for solo guitar, as well as for duets, trios, quartets up till septets and octets for guitar. In 1998 he composed pieces for choir, orchestra and a rock band for the 25th anniversary of the Vallensbæk music school and in 2000 he composed a Christmas Oratorio for organ, guitar, flutes, choir and narrator. In 2009, the great French guitarist and composer Jean Marie RAYMOND wrote for him a beautiful music piece, a little jewel called "As always".Musical style
Kindgren's style is mainly classical, with influences from jazz, blues and easy listening. In addition to his classical repertoire Per-Olov also plays works of The Beatles and Metallica. Kindgren likes to describe his own compositions as songs without words.Gear
Instrument
- Classical guitar by luthier Per Hallgren, 2011
- Per-Olov previously played a classical guitar built by Swiss luthier Philippe Jean-Mairet, which he bought in 1987. A friend of his, Jørgen, had bought a guitar from the Swiss luthier whom he had met in Bern during his studies and loved its superb quality. Per-Olov asked his friend to order a guitar for him and nine months later he was able to visit Philippe Jean-Mairet in Switzerland to test his new guitar. Previously he owned a Martin Fleeson guitar which he had bought in Manchester, England in 1986 for 25,000 DKK (about €3,350 or $4,400 at the time). One year later Per-Olov bought his Jean-Mairet instrument.
- He also plays a 7 string classical guitar given to him by John and Judy Rogerson.
Guitar Support
Per-Olov can be seen in his videos, using a Gitano guitar support on his left lap.Discography
- 1992 - Images, Nordic Guitar Quartet (Primaveramusic)
- 2008 - After Silence (Villa Luisa Records)
- 2010 - Distant Love
- 2011 - AIR
