Perfecto De Castro

“Ensconced at the center of the stage, holding his 10-string guitar, classical guitarist Perfecto De Castro gave everyone in the theater a high (through his playing) .....” - The Manila Times

Hailed as one of the best Filipino guitarists by fans and critics alike, Perfecto De Castro now takes his career to the World Stage, enrapturing audiences with his adventurous programming of multi-cultural music.

“An artist of quality and integrity with very refined interpretations”

- Janet Marlow , Director 1 st International Ten String Festival

“One of the best guitarists we have today”

- Josefino Chino Toledo , Filipino Composer-Conductor

At the core of his repertoire, lies the rich and appealing blend of Eastern and Western musical influences. From the simplistic beauty of indigenous Ethnic melodies, challenging rhythms of Folk dances, to Spanish-flavored Art Songs and contemporary fusion of all aforementioned elements.

“ Personally, the second half of Perfecto’s recital was my favorite. I particularly enjoyed the four Filipino pieces. It seems those places where many cultures meet (or clash) often produce the most beautiful and unique music. I heard echoes of Polynesia, Indonesia and Europe in these beautiful pieces. This was my first introduction to Filipino music; I was surprised at the deep and varied roots of the music. Each piece was uniquely beautiful, and each very different from the other. ”

- Chris Volak, GSI Classical Guitar Forum

The Laudarra, or the Ten String Classical Guitar, is Perfecto’s instrument of choice. Its wider musical range and colorful sonority transforms each piece and presents them in a different light. The musical potential of compositions, transcriptions and arrangements are less hindered by the traditional guitar’s limitations.

“I had the pleasure of watching Perfecto De Castro's live recital DVD last night. His use of the 10 string guitar was very fluid and clean.
I've often felt that 10 string guitarists were switching from Bass to Treble parts within a piece to the detriment of the composers intention. Whereas, Perfecto was able to integrate the extremes of the instrument’s register to convey the music beautifully.”

- Stephen Marchione , luthier, Austin TX

Perfecto collaborates with composers all over the world to add to the repertoire of the Ten String Guitar. To date he has received new works from Spain, the UK, Italy, the USA and the Philippines; most of which name him as the dedicatee.

“Both Perfecto De Castro and Rohan Leach are to be commended for bringing such a beautiful composition and performance (Sylph Dance) to the 10-string world!”

- Steven Bastien, 10String Mailing List

A graduate of the PWU School of Music, Perfecto studied with one of the Philippines’ best guitar pedagogues, Maestro Jose Valdez, and has since augmented his guitar studies through lessons and masterclasses taught by some of the world’s best guitarists and teachers: Angelito Agcaoili, Michael Dadap, Paul Galbraith , Tilman Hoppstock, Scott Kritzer , Jonathan Leathwood, Janet Marlow , Jorge Orozco and James Smith.

Along with solo guitar performances, Perfecto has performed with the Metro Manila Community Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, both as a concerto soloist and texture accompanist. He is a founding member of the Kasilag Guitar Quartet , whose 2004 debut CD has received critical acclaim from Japan’s Gendai Guitar Magazine and the Guitar Foundation of America’s Soundboard Magazine.

Perfecto De Castro’s new solo 10 String Guitar CD, “A Journey through Ten Strings" , features pieces from his programmes; from Baroque Lute Music to Philippine Art Songs and Contemporary Ethnic Music. The CD also includes the world premiere recording of Rohan Leach ’s “Sylph Dance”, a suite written for 10 String Guitar and dedicated to Perfecto De Castro.