DESCRIBED as “classical music’s guitar hero”, Miloš Karadaglic received unanimous acclaim for his 2016 Beatles album and now makes a much-anticipated return to recording and performing.

“This tour and the album are a very personal scrapbook of music that will always have a special meaning to me – from Bach to the Beatles, Granados to Portishead, Piazzolla to Radiohead. It comes after one of the biggest challenges of my life – suffering from a serious physical injury and a mental burnout – this programme is a musical reflection on that time and on my long journey back to full health. It is the music I love above all else.”

For his performance at the Hippodrome he will be joined by members of the 12 Ensemble, in a programme inspired by his journey and showcasing the immense diversity of the guitar, from Spanish classics and Latin American rhythms to baroque dances and the Beatles. Ahead of the show, he answered our questions.

When did you start playing the guitar and why? Were you born into a musical family?

I was born in Montenegro during the Balkan wars, in a very happy but isolated environment. My parents aren’t musicians but it was always the thing I was most passionate about. I thought that playing the guitar was special because it made me instantly connect with people. I gave my first proper public performance in Paris when I was 14 years old and I will remember it for the rest of my life – being there felt as if for the first time I was seeing life in full colour and hence I knew it was what I wanted to do forever.

You sustained a devastating hand injury a few years ago – what happened?

It was a very difficult period of my life – both professionally and personally. I developed a repetitive strain like hand injury, which quickly spiralled into bigger issues. There were moments I thought and was told I would never be able to play again. It took time and a huge support network to heal and recover – I needed to rest, rebuild my self-belief and re-evaluate my relationship with music and the world I was part of. It was the most important lesson of my adult life and I now feel much stronger and better than ever before.

Who are your musical inspirations?

As a teenager, John Williams was everything to me – his peerless sound aesthetic, projection and clarity will forever be a huge inspiration and I learned so much by listening to his recordings. I’m inspired by other classical guitarists, their life and work – Leo Brouwer, José Luis Merlin, Máximo Diego Pujol, Francisco Tárrega, Segovia – most of whom appear on my new album. And I’m also inspired by the musicians I meet, the conductors I work with, composers that write for me – it’s a privilege to connect with people and discover everyone’s unique gift, not just in music, but in every other way too.

What was it like selling out the Royal Albert Hall in 2012? You were the first ever classical guitarist to have performed a solo recital there!

In my imaginary world, when I was a teenager in Montenegro, the Royal Albert Hall was the stage of my dreams. So even before I actually did it, I had played that concert hundreds of times in my head. I was of course very nervous before-hand but mostly I was just insanely excited and focused. It was a huge moment and to this day the best thing I have ever done.

What is it that makes the guitar so special to you?

It’s not an accident that the guitar is the most popular instrument in the world. Whether classical or pop guitar – there is a truly special quality about it. In the classical world, however, the guitar is still fighting for its place, although in the last decade things have changed dramatically. At a time when classical music is searching for new audiences, the guitar is the perfect vehicle to bridge the gap as it sits so perfectly between the worlds of classical and mainstream.

You’ll be playing some music by the Beatles in this concert – why do you love their music?

The Beatles were a bit of an artistic departure for me and through their work and influence I found the sound I had always searched for. It’s music that has stood the test of time, and which will stay for many years to come. On this tour, I hope that everyone will be able to find their own favourites in such an eclectic programme. From Bach to the Beatles, Schubert or Paul Simon, it is all music to me, and I love it.

Milos is at Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday, September 24. For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk