A young artist – immersed in music
The German guitarist Judith Bunk regularly impresses audiences and press with her sensitive and differentiated playing, balanced interpretations and precise tone culture.
As a soloist and chamber musician she has performed at renowned festivals and concert series such as the Ludwigsburg Schlossfestspiele, the European Weeks Passau, the 39th Jihoceský Festival in the Czech Republic, the Schlossfestspiele Sondershausen, the Biennale ZeitRäume Basel, “Young Stars Beethovenhaus Bonn” and the “Kurt Weill Fest Dessau”. She appeared as a soloist with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, was selected for the EMCY Chamber Music Tour “Stars of Tomorrow” and for the German “Bundesauswahl Konzerte Junger Künstler”.
Judith Bunk is a prizewinner and scholarship holder of numerous competitions including the 41st International Radio Competition “Concertino Praga”, the German Music Competition, the International Anna Amalia Guitar Competition, the German Foundation Musikleben and the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation “Live Music Now”.
She completed all stages of her musical education with distinction: her diploma studies (2013) in the class of Prof. Jürgen Rost at the Franz Liszt College of Music in Weimar, her Performance Master (2016) and in 2018 the Soloist Diploma under Prof. Stephan Schmidt at the Music Academy of the City of Basel.
“Judith Bunk took the audience into the world of strings in a way that left hardly anyone untouched. From the first moment she immersed herself entirely in her musical world and drew her listeners with her. On her guitar she spans a broad spectrum from powerful, striking sounds to delicate, fine ones, combining precision and musical empathy with notable agility. Fully concentrated and immersed in the music, she presents a versatile repertoire and emphasises contrasts. Her programme ranges from Dietrich Buxtehude and Johann Sebastian Bach to Fernando Sor, Federico Mompou and Konstantin Vassiliev. Present at the beginning and end of the recital: the English lutenist John Dowland.”
2020, Swabian Post
“The musician who opens new worlds with her guitar. Judith Bunk comes from Freiberg and is an exceptional artist. When she plays, she often performs with closed eyes. ‘This way I can fall into the music. I no longer focus on the notes or finger patterns, only on the music itself.’ For her, authentic expression arises from internalisation, and that expression enables music to move people.”
2018, Free Press
“She played the Suite BWV 995 with a convincing interpretation that generated enthusiastic response. Her playing is marked by ease in demanding passages and by strong musical expression.”
2017, EGTA Switzerland
“She lets the guitar lament and rejoice. Playing with closed eyes and focused inwardly, she commands quiet tones and explores subtle nuances.”
“With assured musical instinct she brings different characters to life, moving between full chordal resonance and the delicate sound of harmonics.”
2017, Swabian Post
“An evening of refined tone. Judith Bunk enchanted her audience with light and finely nuanced playing. A highlight was Manuel María Ponce’s Variations on ‘Folia de España’, written for Andrés Segovia. Her playing remained transparent, expressive and finely balanced.”
2017, Ipf- und Jagst Newspaper
“A programme of quiet and sensitive colours, shaped with a clear sense of stylistic contrasts between early English lute music, Spanish and South American sources and an American sound world. A convincing statement for musical diversity.”
2014, Baltic Sea Newspaper
“Her tone was excellent, shaped with clarity and refinement. She created a complete and coherent interpretation. The obligatory work by Jan Novák is not overly difficult, yet she presented it as a substantial composition. That makes an artist.”
2008, Stepan Rak
“Every note was measured and shaped with care. Sor’s Adagio was performed with exceptional calm and control. The sound remained clear throughout, brilliant in fast passages.”
2014, Main-Post
“Fernando Sor’s ‘Grand Sonata op. 22’ appeared light and spirited, as if the late Mozart had written for the guitar.”
2015, WLZ Waldeckische Landeszeitung
“Judith Bunk revealed notable precision and delicacy, marked by clear differentiation and fluent virtuosity.”
2008, Passau New Press
“Her performance radiated presence and confidence rooted in a strong technical foundation.”
