Perfecto De Castro

De Castro plays with elegance, sensitivity, tonal clarity and finesse. - Classical Guitar Magazine, U.K.


The depth and purity of the sound he coaxes - apparently effortlessly - out of his 10-string guitar is breathtaking. - CDBaby buyer review

Nothing less than brilliant… - The Asian Journal

Passion and precision meet when Perfecto De Castro performs on the laudarra ten-string guitar.

Leaving behind the life of a lead guitar rock-star, with two platinum records, and a Guitarist of the Year award, De Castro, found the love of his musical life in the laudarra’s technical challenge and ability to express emotion.

First introduced in 1964, the laudarra is technically more demanding than the traditional six-stringed guitar, has an expanded musical range, is more sonorous, and allows pieces to be played in the original key of many classical composers.

The first laudarra master, Narciso Yepes performed with a precise staccato-like sound. De Castro builds on Yepes technical brilliance with a crisp, clear sound while also conveying incredible feeling—when he performs, the music lives, breathes, and has soul.

As described by the Phillipine Star “In the hands of Perf De Castro, a 10-string classical guitar becomes a more potent medium of artistry and self-expression — a virtual orchestra that reverberates with thunderous bass lines, complex chordal clusters, silky sweet upper-register harmonies and tons of natural harmonics and overtones.”

At the core of De Castro’s performing repertoire, lies an appealing blend of east and west: the simplistic beauty of indigenous ethnic melodies, rhythmically complex folk dances, Spanish-flavored art songs, Bach, Vivaldi, Dvorak, and a contemporary fusion of them all.

De Castro’s newest CD entitled Caparison, meaning a rich ornamental cloth, is aptly named. His selection, reworking, and interpretation of classics, including many timeless guitar pieces, create a lush tapestry enrapturing listeners. John Abrams writes, “His last CD Journey through 10 Strings made you feel like you were sitting right in front of the performer. This recording makes you feel like you're holding the guitar.”

When Perfecto is not touring, he resides with his family in Los Angeles, where he teaches next generation guitarists and continues to challenge himself as he expands his repertoire with new musical ventures.