Marku, Redi

Redi Marku
Redi Marku (born in 1977 in Pogradec, Albania) is an Albanian classical guitarist, composer, and arranger, widely recognised for his original works for guitar and for his significant contribution to the development of the instrument in Albania and abroad.
He began studying classical guitar and music theory at the age of 15. In 1998, he moved to Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where he attended the “Gheorghe Dima” Academy of Music. He completed his studies in 2005, earning a Master’s degree in the Stylistics of Classical Guitar Performance. During his studies, he participated actively in concerts, workshops, and various artistic events organised by the academy and other musical institutions.
In 2006, he returned to Tirana and began teaching at the Artistic High School of Music, one of Albania's leading music education institutions, where he continues to teach. Between 2007 and 2011, he also served as an external lecturer at the University of Arts in Tirana, in the Department of Classical Guitar.
His musical output includes numerous original works for solo guitar, guitar duos, and small ensembles, as well as many arrangements of Albanian traditional and art music for classical guitar. His compositions are known for their distinctive, expressive, and melodically rich style, gaining recognition from professional guitarists worldwide. Many of his pieces have been performed internationally and incorporated into concert programs and competitions across different countries.
Marku is the founder of the “Marku Guitar Competition”, an international virtual guitar competition in which guitarists of all ages perform works composed or arranged by him.
His works are published by Bergmann Edition in Denmark and are included in academic curricula and performance repertoires in various international music institutions. Through his compositions, publications, and collaborations with foreign artists, Redi Marku is regarded as one of the prominent representatives of Albanian music on the international classical guitar scene.