Get to know me…

Javier Llanes captivates his audience through sensitivity, charisma, innate musicality and virtuosity — qualities that place him among the leading figures of the new generation of Spanish guitarists.

As a soloist he stands out for his versatility, with a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary creation. Throughout his career he has been part of numerous chamber ensembles. In 2018 he recorded the album Equinoccio with clarinettist Gumersindo Berná and percussionist Enrique González, with whom he consolidated Equinox Trio. He also carries out intense international activity with Duo Palomares-Llanes, for violin and guitar. In 2024 he founded Duo Tosca with clarinettist Jennifer Garcia.

Born in Orihuela (Alicante), he began his musical training at a very young age and started his conservatory studies at thirteen. In 2014 he completed his higher studies in guitar with highest honours at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia, under the tutelage of Carmen María Ros. A year later he completed the Master in Music Performance and Research in Alicante with Ignacio Rodes, earning the highest grades.

He has refined his training with artists such as Leo Brouwer, David Russell, Álvaro Pierri, Manuel Barrueco, José María Gallardo del Rey and Margarita Escarpa, among others. His interest in flamenco also led him to take classes with guitarists such as Óscar Herrero.

His talent has been recognised in numerous competitions, including first prize at the VIII International Guitar Competition Ciutat d’Elx —Premio Calendura—, runner-up at the XII International Guitar Competition José Tomás Villa de Petrer and the Special Prize for Best Interpreter of Spanish Music at the XXVI National Interpretation Competition Villa de Cox. He was also awarded at the I International Chamber Music with Guitar Competition Ciutat d’Elx and has received a double Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards in California, in the Instrumentalist and Music Video categories.

His concert career has taken him to festivals and stages in Spain, Italy, France and Portugal, including the International Guitar Festivals of Ciutat d’Elx, Hondarribia, Palencia and Fundão, LakeComo International Music Festival, Alba Music Festival, Musique et Patrimoine en Vienne et Gartempe, Teatro Romea, Teatro Principal de Palencia, the Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante and Teatro Góngora in Córdoba.

He combines concert activity with teaching, which he considers a fundamental pillar of his development as a musician. He has taught at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia «Massotti» and in 2023 he was appointed Professor of Guitar at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, where he currently teaches.

He plays a Manuel Contreras II guitar, Doble Tapa —Premium Series—, and a romantic guitar inspired by a 19th-century French Petit Jean, built by Belgian luthier Daniel Bernaert.