En stor gratulasjon til David Russell for hans enestående bidrag til den klassiske gitarverdenen – både gjennom sitt spill og sin varme personlighet. Jeg føler meg privilegert som får leve i samme tid som en så inspirerende legende. Han er, og vil alltid være, et tidløst forbilde og en kilde til dyp inspirasjon.

Kristina Vårlid

Dear David,

It gives me great pleasure to take this opportunity to congratulate you on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Koblenz International Guitar Academy. I am convinced that all of your colleagues around the world will be delighted to honour you with this award, as you have influenced and shaped generations of guitarists with your playing. But it's not just your interpretations, that unmistakable noble sound and your charisma on stage - everything together characterises you as an exceptional artist - I have always admired the fact that you have remained likeable, open, accessible and modest as a person. In my view, a great personality is a person who, in addition to his fame as a performing artist, is also able to share the concerns and problems of other people. All the students you teach at masterclasses love you! And it is another skill and art how you - besides your expertise - in your incomparable way make everyone feel like a better artist. I think that this deep empathy characterises you in particular and is also reflected in your charitable commitment. There is of course so much more to write, but I think all these things will be honoured at the ceremony. Once again, I would like to express my deep admiration for your life's work and wish us all that you - together with your wonderful wife Maria - will accompany us for many years to come...as an artist and as a person,

Tilman

Dear David, on the occasion of your significant award, I want to remind you of the importance of your great namesake - the biblical King David. He was given a great gift - to heal and cure through the power of music. And you, like him, have been doing the same thing for decades - your guitar not only heals and cures, but also inspires. For millions of young people around the world, it was you and your magical playing that made them decide to follow in your footsteps. And for that, I thank You and admire You very much. And that's why my song, "Song for King David," belongs to you as well. Thank you, Stepan. 

Sin lugar a dudas, David es una leyenda viva de la guitarra clásica.

Su extraordinaria trayectoria como intérprete, así como sus invaluables aportes al instrumento, lo consolidan como uno de los más grandes exponentes en la historia de la guitarra.

Además de ser un referente artístico indiscutible, David es también un ser humano excepcional.

¡Gracias, David Russell, por tanto!

Rafael Padrón