Player Spotlight: Tariq Harb

Winner of both the First Prize and the Audience Choice Award in the Barrios WorldWideWeb Competition 2011, First-Prize winner in the Montréal International Classical Guitar Competition 2011, and Second-Prize winner in the Tokyo 55th International Classical Guitar Competition, Tariq Harb is quickly establishing himself as one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation. Harb’s “well-deserved acclaim complements the virtuosity and freshness with which he is known to perform” (Savino Music).

Tariq’s playing demonstrates “not just his flawless technique but also his refined taste and a great, innate sense for truly beautiful interpretation” (The Jordan Times). Harb has recently been chosen as a CBC Radio NEXT! artist, where he was celebrated as “Canada’s next classical guitar superstar” and was showcased performing on radio and live at the Glenn Gould studios in Toronto, Canada.

Harb’s past appearances in concerts and festivals in North America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia, are highlighted by performances in prestigious halls such as the 2000 year-old Roman Amphitheatre in Jerash, Jordan, the Bunka Kaikan concert hall in Tokyo, Japan, the world-famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre (TEDGlobal) in the UK, and the illustrious Cairo Opera House in Egypt. Moreover, Harb received an ‘Honorary Membership’ from the Arab Cultural Centre in Jordan, recognizing his efforts and contributions to the arts both in the Arab world and abroad. He released his debut solo album entitled “A Guitar Through the Eras” in June 2013. Harb’s engagements in 2015-2016 include notable concerts at Shanghai’s bi-annual Guitar Festival, and at the 2015 Guitar Foundation of America Convention and Competition.

Born in Jordan to parents of Palestinian origin, Harb moved to Canada to commence university studies. He studied both the violin and the guitar with classical guitarists Roddy Ellias, Patrick Kearney, Jerome Ducharme, Dr. Garry Antonio, Dr. Jeffrey McFadden; with violinists Claude Gelineau, and Clemens Merkel of the Bozzini Quartet. Harb also participated in many masterclasses including ones run by Lorenzo Micheli, Jason Vieaux, Pavel Steidl, Rémi Boucher, and Manuel Barrueco. Harb holds a Masters in Performance degree from McGill University, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University. In November 2014, Harb received the title of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto upon completion of his doctorate degree. Tariq Harb is a La Bella Strings Artist.

TARIQ HARB GUITAR DEMOS (view all)