Carlos Antonio Bonell (born 23 July 1949) is an English classical guitarist of Spanish origin. He has been described by Classical Guitar magazine as "one of the great communicators of the guitar world". Career Born in London, Bonell started to play at the age of five, learning to play Spanish folk music on the guitar from his father who was a keen amateur guitarist, while also studying the violin more formally at school. He continued his studies at the Royal College of Music with John Williams, where upon completing his studies in 1972, he was appointed professor. In 1973, he won the Greater London Arts Association Young Musicians' Scheme award and as a consequence gave more than fifty concerts in the south-east of England between 1973 and 1974. His concerto debut in 1975 was with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos at the Royal Festival Hall, London in a performance of the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo. His first solo LP recording, for the Enigma Classics label, recorded in 1975, was "Guitar Music of Spain". The following year he recorded a Grammy nominated album with John Williams and friends for CBS with the instrumentation of two guitars, marimba, xylophone and double bass. The group performed throughout the UK for several years. His first performance in New York in 1978 was at the Mostly Mozart Festival in the Avery Fisher Hall. The New York Times wrote of his performance: "Carlos Bonell is a player of superb poetic gifts". Concierto de Aranjuez In 1981, Bonell made the first of three recordings of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Recorded in Canada with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Charles Dutoit for the Decca label, it was one of the first digital recordings of the concerto and was described as "a magnificent triumph" by Classical Music magazine. It was awarded a "Rosette" by the Penguin CD Guide and has been frequently singled out as the finest interpretations available. During 1986, he played Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez five times in London's Royal Festival Hall, with The Royal Philharmonic, The London Symphony Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. Tours and recordings Between 1987 and 1995, he recorded seven albums ranging from music for solo guitar to concertos with the English Chamber and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. During the 1980s, Carlos Bonell formed an ensemble of three guitars, flute and percussion.