Heike Matthiesen

Heike Matthiesen (27 June 1964 – 22 December 2023) was a German classical guitarist who appeared internationally as a soloist and with ensembles. She promoted music by women composers and used social media for the distribution of classical music. Her 2016 solo album Guitar Ladies features works by women, written from the 19th to the 21st century, including a piece written for her and other first recordings.

Life and career Early life and education Matthiesen was born in Braunschweig and she recorded a CD with the Spanish Art Guitar Quartet in 2005. Matthiesen performed in many countries, including the US, Russia, Japan, China, all around western Europe, Iceland, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea. She played at festivals and in guitar concert series, and was a juror in national and international competitions. Matthiesen was passionate about the music of women composers which she promoted.

Guitars Gioachino Giussani 1990 "Alsuhail " Roy Fankhänel 2015 "RF160"

Recordings Suite de los espejos (Mirror Suite), Andrei Volkonsky, portrait, Wergo 1993 Bolero, with the Spanish Art Guitar Quartet, NCA 2005

Solo: Sol y luna, music from Spain and South America, Tyrolis 1998 Tristemusette, music by Roland Dyens, Tyrolis 2001 Serenade, phantasies and variations on 19th century opera, Vienna2day, 2013 Guitar Divas (2023)

Her 2016 solo album Guitar Ladies features exclusively compositions by women, Sidney Pratten (1821–1895), María Luisa Anido, Ida Presti, Sofia Gubaidulina, Sylvie Bodorová, Annette Kruisbrink, Carmen Guzman (1925–2012), Tatiana Stachak (born 1973) and Maria Linnemann, with Linnemann's work dedicated to her. A reviewer summarised: quote|Guitar Ladies by Heike Matthiesen is a wonderful collection of repertoire by prominent and historical composers. The all-women conceptual base ties the album together and, along with the works by Maria Linnemann dedicated to Matthiesen, represents an important repertoire exploration as well as a personal touch and contribution from the performer. With expressive and colourful performances, the album radiates a mood of melodic beauty, movement, and spaciousness rarely found all in one place.