Eliot Fisk (1954–) is a highly regarded American classical guitarist. He was the last pupil of the Spanish guitarist Andrès Segovia, and he also studied with Oscar Ghiglia and Ralph Kirkpatrick. He made his solo debut at Alice Tully Hall in New York in 1976 and won the International Classical Guitar Competition in Gargnano, Italy, in 1980. Fisk taught at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne (1982–89) and was appointed to the faculty of the Salzburg Mozarteum in 1989. He also teaches at New England Conservatory in Boston. He has appeared throughout the world in concerto, recital, and chamber music performances and has expanded the repertory of the guitar through his transcriptions of music by composers such as Scarlatti, Bach, Paganini, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and many others. Numerous composers, including Luciano Berio, George Rochberg, Nicholas Maw, and Robert Beaser, have dedicated works to Fisk. He has made numerous recordings and is the founder and artistic director of the Boston Guitarfest, an annual cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary festival. Fisk considered RK one of his most important musical mentors.

June 17, 1976

Dear Mr. Kirkpatrick,

Several factors have delayed the writing of this letter. First, my inability to gracefully articulate what I have wanted to say for a long time. Second, my somewhat erratic schedule since the end of the school year. Third, my reluctance to burden your secretary with anything other than correspondence that is absolutely vital.

To begin, let me thank you for the absolutely marvelous afternoon my parents and I enjoyed at your home some weeks ago. My mother speaking for us all mentioned how even on first meeting your personality leaves an afterimage, like a great work of art. It was so nice of you to take the time to chat with my parents. I know they thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you could see my correspondence over the past months, you would have a fair idea of what I want to say next since my friends complain that they hear of nothing but the greatness of Ralph Kirkpatrick! I know that I shall never be able to thank you enough for what you have taught me—both in our sessions and by the example of your life in music.