Tall, lanky shaven headed German guitarist Ulrich Steier charmed the media at a press conference which was held to bring to the classical music lovers of Sri Lanka information on the only concert he is to perform tonight at the Barefoot Gallery.

Ulrich who is one of the most famous classical guitarists in Germany, has won various international awards. He has released several CDs be it solo, or as a duo with such artiste as the Italian tenor France Careccia. On this his first concert in Sri Lanka at the Barefoot Gallery he will play works from the famous composers such as Beethoven, Albeniz and L. Brouwer.

Sure to be of interest to the less knowledgeable audience Ulrich will relate anecdotes and stories about his instrument, compositions and composers to bring a new facet to the recital.

Ulrich Steier got his first music lessons at the age of three. After studying under Prof. Hans Graf at the Folkwang University, he changed to the conservatory of Enschede/Netherlands and studied under Louis Ignatius Ga-ll who was a student of the most famous master guitarist of all time Andres Segovia. He has received glowing reviews wherever he performed.

Fernan Jung, Director of the Conservatory of Music Luxembourg said, "Ulrich Steier is one of the few musicians who lets his instrument really sing." In 1998 a German critic said, "The audience was amazed at the mastery of the 34 year old musician when he played the most difficult pieces and interpreted the soul and spirit of the music.

Ulrich who has been in Sri Lanka for a little ever a month said he was impressed with everything in our country, but claimed that the traffic was chaotic and the worst he had encountered anywhere in the world.

Asked if he composed, music himself he replied in the affirmative and said that he would play his own compositions if the audience called for an encore. So be there tonight at 7 p.m. and cheer him on the hope there will be a demand and we can have the privilege of hearing him play his own work.