Nikita Boldyrev (Russia)
Nikita Boldyrev: The Perfect Fusion Between Classical Guitar, Jazz, and Fingerstyle
Despite his youth, Nikita Boldyrev has already performed extensively throughout Eastern Europe and Russia. In his concerts, he plays a narrow-body electro-classical guitar with cutaway: the Alhambra model 5 P CW.
Biography and Academic Background
Nikita Boldyrev was born in 1987 in Moscow. He graduated with honors from the State Musical College of Pop and Jazz Art in 2007 and from the State Classical Academy in 2012, where he studied under Master Nikolay Golovnya.
During his university studies, he held scholarships from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Vladimir Spivakov Foundation. Furthermore, he was awarded a State Award for Supporting Young Talents by Presidential Decree of the Russian Federation (2006).
Awards and Recognition
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World Record: Nikita Boldyrev is listed in the World Book of Records as “the person who set the world record for the speed of mastering the guitar repertoire” (according to the official formulation of the Russian Bureau for Registration of Records, 2001).
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International Competitions: He has been awarded top prizes in numerous Russian and international competitions, both in classical guitar and jazz guitar categories.
Musical Style and International Career
Nikita Boldyrev’s playing style is founded on merging classical technique with jazz improvisation. His repertoire is widely described as “jazz on classical guitar” and fingerstyle.
Concerts and Festivals
He has given solo recitals in cities across Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Serbia, performing at major guitar and jazz festivals throughout Eastern Europe:
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Guitar World (Kaluga, 2009, 2013)
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Guitar Virtuosos (Moscow, 2012)
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Strings (Serbia, 2015)
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Golden Vultures (Moscow, 2017)
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The Pink Panther (Ufa, 2018)
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Harmonia Cordis International Guitar Festival (Romania, 2018)
In recent years, he has combined his concert tours with giving masterclasses in cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Bryansk, Kirov, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Stavropol, Severodvinsk, Murmansk, Belgorod, Kursk, Orel, Ufa, Ulyanovsk, and Penza, as well as appearing on radio and television programs.
Prominent Collaborations
He has performed frequently in duo format with renowned international guitarists such as Antal Pusztai (Hungary), Mikhail Olenchenko, Yuri Polezhaev, and Dmitry Illarionov (Russia), as well as prominent vocalists like Katerina Kors, Nadezhda Gorelova, and Maria Katz (known as Yudith, Russia's representative at Eurovision 1994).
Press & Critical Acclaim
“It was very easy to talk with Nikita. He easily caught my harmonies and my ideas. In general, hearing his playing and his musical abilities, I am glad to see that not only guitar performers have emerged, but musicians with broader horizons and free musical thinking.”
— Gennady Gladkov, famous Russian composer.
“First of all, Nikita Boldyrev is a bright individuality. Despite his young age, he is an established, independent artist with—I am not afraid of this word—a unique musical thinking. This is a rare gift, especially among guitarists: there are many technically strong performers, but very few who penetrate so deeply and feel their own and other people’s music at this level.”
— “Where is culture” Magazine
“Nikita Boldyrev won over the audience not only with his magnificent technique, but also with an amazing charm and stage artistry.”
— Mordovian Philharmonic Society
“He managed to excite young, middle-aged, and older listeners alike—and that is a serious achievement. My long-held belief is that music must be full of life: young energy, strength, drive... and a healthy, happy dose of artistic hooliganism!”
— Valentin Galidin, on the concert at the Organ Hall of the Chisinau Philharmonic.
“The young virtuoso conquered the audience with his natural and professional musical charm.”
— “Vladimirskie Vedomosti” Newspaper
Current Projects and Pedagogy
Nikita Boldyrev actively collaborates with contemporary composers such as Gennady Gladkov, Nikita Koshkin, Vyacheslav Osminin, Marina Landa, and Yuri Markin.
Since 2008, he has served as a professor at the Moscow Guitar College.
Official Links and Social Media
Find out more about Nikita Boldyrev on his official channels:
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Website: boldyrevguitarschool.ru
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Facebook: @nikita.boldyrev.98
