I just learned that John Holmquist passed away January 17th at 65. He hadn't posted here in some time.
John was one of the finest classical guitarists of his generation. Among other accomplishments, he edited the first edition of the recently discovered guitar etudes of the 19th century composer/virtuoso (on both guitar and concertina) Giulio Regondi.
I think I'll listen to some of his recordings now--R.I.P.
Thanks for posting this sad news
Thanks for posting and for turning me on to his playing. Music is such a wonderful gift, and provides a gateway to the Eternal.
It's always a heartbreak to hear of an HU member passing :-(What a very special talent he had.
My sincerest condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace sir and Suffer no more
facebook.com/JohnHolmquistg...
He was the real deal. Re: the Regondi--little remembered, and then mostly for his apparently astounding ability on the concertina; I believe far more of the concertina pieces survive than his guitar pieces.
The published etudes were published by Editions Orphee (now available through Theodore Presser). The publication credits Matanya Ophee rather than Holmquist; I assume they both had a hand. Ophee (don't know why he changed his name to "Orphee" for his publishing company, apparently run out of his home in Columbus Ohio) was one of the true characters of the classical guitar world. He fought for the Irgun in the Israeli war of independence; became an airline pilot after coming to the United States, and became one of the foremost scholars of the classical guitar. Almost universally described as "cantankerous", he could nevertheless be very generous to those interested in the field, and was always ready with a historical story about almost every guitar luminary of the past 150 years.
He died in 2017, almost certainly as well of prostate cancer.
Well, he was certainly treated for it:
"The last time I saw him was the GFA Convention in Louisville, Kentuucky, in 2013. He told me then that he had recently had a new laser treatment for prostate cancer and that this seemed to have cured his problem."
hbxxxj.com/xiangqing/162998...
He had told people in our classical guitar usenet news group that he had had proton therapy; I don't know where.
;,o( >> 🎸♾️:0) @ ☮️
Thank you DT for the link to his music, sad he was taken so early with his tremendous talent.
Sorry to hear condolences to his family.
Sorry to hear this sad news RIP John - condolences to his family and friends 😢
Did he pass due to his PCa?
I received no specific information; although we occasionally corresponded via FB, I only received notice via the Guitar Foundation magazine "Soundboard"--it did not give a cause of death, but I know he was not doing well with the PC
My sincere condolences. Thanks dentalwin for the update.
Thank you dentaltwin!
I watched the June 2018, "Final concert for Camino Artes." posted by pjoshea13. John Holmquist looked vibrant and full of life immersed in and enjoying that point in time. It can happen quickly. It makes planning my day, or days, a bit more important. Get done that which you can do and you need to do!
Currumpaw
Although I had some of his recordings, we didn't connect until I saw him posting here a couple of years back. He was apparently quite the fitness buff and went down swinging.
R.I.P. Make music now in eternal, blazing starlight. My deepest condolences to Mr. Holmquist’s loved ones.
Rest in peace.
John E. Holmquist
February 7, 1955 - January 17, 2021.
On Friday, January 4th, 2019 at 7 p.m., at the MacPhail
Center of Music’s Antonello Hall, there will be an
event to honor John Holmquist’s distinguished
career in music. The event is free and open to the public.
The evening will include performances as well as audiovisual and spoken tributes by a number of John’s former
students—many distinguished artists in their own right,
some traveling from afar—to their teacher and mentor,
who earlier this year was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.
John, a Minneapolis native who studied with Jeffrey Van and graduated from the
University of Minnesota, is one of the greatest American classical guitarists of his generation. In 1978, he won the most important classical guitar competition of that time,
the Guitar 78 Festival in Toronto, Canada. He went on to head the guitar department
at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where his students included Jason Vieaux, winner
of the 1992 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition
and a 2015 Grammy Award winner.
Obituary
John E. Holmquist, of New Ulm, has left this earth for a new journey. He passed away in his home with his family by his side.
An adored husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be forever treasured in our hearts.
John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Alma Marin; daughter, Alex Dadante (Chris); son, Zach Holmquist; grandson, Lincoln John Dadante; extended family and many friends. He was preceded by his parents, John A. and Jeanne.
John was a world-renowned guitarist who touched the lives of his many students and mentees. He took great pride in his second career as a financial advisor, which required less travel and allowed him more time with his family. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
j-o-h-n Wednesday 03/31/2021 7:47 PM DST
Wow! A fantastic life lived. Rip . Thanks
A man who leaves this kind of soul-stirring music behind is never gone. RIP.
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