Question: Who do you think is the most overrated and the most underrated composer for the classical guitar?

Siegried Steinkogler: The most underrated composer? Myself! - No, just a joke... Maybe Barna Kovats is a little bit underrated as a composer for the guitar - concerning the fact that his music was edited by some of the most renowned publishers! In general I believe that there is no over- or underrated composer, as it is no accident to have success as a composer. Maybe some people of the younger generation are underrated by now, but time and the audience will decide about the quality of their work, as it always used to be!

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Question: Which „Slogan“ would you use in advertising for the classical guitar?

Siegried Steinkogler: "Gitarre - genießen Sie die Leichtigkeit des Seins!" ("Guitar - enjoy the ease of being!")

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Question: With which prejudices – that are connected with the classical guitar – would you like to get rid of?

Siegried Steinkogler: With the prejudice that there exists an instrument which is more important than the guitar! Even producing a sound on the guitar is a complicated and very personal thing (it can be done in hundreds of ways) so that I believe the sound of the guitar belongs to the most beautiful things in the world. And - last but not least - the prejudice that the guitar´s repertoire is inferior to any other instrument´s repertoire.If you would start playing concerts now, it would take decades to play all the beautiful works that have been written for the guitar during the last centuries!
 
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Question: Which attributes do you find typical for classical guitarists?

Siegried Steinkogler: talking about finger-nails, fingerings ....

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Question: What things in your life do you definitely want to learn and what do you regret not having done?

Siegried Steinkogler: In general I am satisfied with what I did. I want to increase my knowledge of the Spanish language, moreover I'd say my whole life is permanent learning - these days I am busy with celtic languages and old celitc myths for my guitar opera "Blodeuwedd". 

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Question: What dreams do you have that you would like to fulfil?

Siegried Steinkogler: To read "Don Quixote" by Cervantes in the Spanish original. And - though it may sound strange - to do a performance playing the guitar and the harmonica at the same time. As a musician and as a composer this would be an artistic challenge for me.

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Question: What is embarrassing for you?

Siegried Steinkogler: When people talk about things they do not understand!

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Question: What short phrase would you use to discribe your lifes philosophy?

Siegried Steinkogler: go on doing what you are doing

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Question: Which abuse in your native country would you like to do away with?

Siegried Steinkogler: The Austrian superstition that everybody is an artist. 

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Question: In relation to world history, which personalities fascinate you the most?

Siegried Steinkogler: People, who believe(d) in the power of peace: Dalai Lama, Berta von Suttner, Mutter Teresa, John Lennon and many , many more

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Question: Which question would you like to be asked and what is your answer to this question?


Siegried Steinkogler: Where could you imagine to stay for a longer time? - Madrid, as it is so full of life ...

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Question: Which guitar virtuoso today has the makings to follow in the footsteps of Andres Segovia?


Siegried Steinkogler: No one! But anyway it is not necessary to follow Segovia´s footsteps, every guitarist has to follow his own way! (What a funny cartoon: the giant Segovia and all those tiny little dwarfs following his footpath carrying guitars across their shoulders...)


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