"Perhaps he is the greatest performer on the instrument of all time"
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"I remember going to a remarkable recital, one which I wish I had the ability to give: it was one of Nigel North's Bach recitals, and I was bowled over by how masterful and how musical it was. A real musical experience, something you don't always get from guitar and lute players and which, in general, is pretty rare." Julian Bream, London, September 2002, in a talk given to the Lute Society.
World renowned British lutenist Nigel North continues to thrill and mesmerize audiences with performances "stunning - rich, warm, resonant and utterly musical." His latest solo CD of the music of Dowland was selected as the "CD of the Month" for May 2009 by the BBC Music magazine and the July 2009 edition of Britain's Classic FM magazine featured Mr. North as one of their top 100 greatest artists.
In addition to a stellar solo career, Mr. North has enjoyed musical collaborations with the world's most outstanding early music scholars including Trevor Pinnock, Christopher Hogwood, Alfred Deller, Fretwork, the London Baroque and most recently with the Attaignant Consort. Mr. North has enjoyed a unique musical life which embraces several and varied activities as a teacher, accompanist, soloist and writer. He published a continuo tutor, Continuo Playing on the Lute, Archlute and Theorbo: A Comprehensive Guide for Performers (Faber 1987) representing his work and passion for this subject.
The ensemble Romanesca was formed by Mr. North, together with Andrew Manze (violin) and John Toll (harpsichord & organ). For ten years (1988-1998) they explored, performed and recorded 17th century chamber music winning several international awards for their recordings. Their double CD recording of the Biber "Violin Sonatas" received the Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Chamber Music CD in 1995.
A most prolific recording artist, Mr. North has participated in over 200 recording projects including 20 solo CDs and seven with Romanesca. Nigel North's Dowland Lute Edition has gained him a garland of critical accolades: "A collectors item" (The Times), "a remarkable performance of wonderful music" (American Record Guide), "North's sweet-toned playing is both unfailingly musical and highly imaginative" (Gramophone), "Nigel North's Dowland cycle sets a new benchmark" (5 STARS, BBC Music Magazine). On the fourth and final volume just completed, North presents a selection of dances and songs by the composer celebrated as the 'English Orpheus.' Other recent recording projects have included, Robert Dowland's "A Musical Banquet" with soprano, Monika Mauch, for ECM (2008), Lute Songs with tenor Charles Daniels for ATMA (2007) and the Lute Music of Robert Johnson for Naxos (2010).
Nigel North's Bach on the Lute - box set, Volumes 1-4 Linn Records CKD 128 (2000) - is regarded by many to be the finest plucked instrument recording of J.S. Bach's solo violin and cello works.
Nigel North is Professor of Lute at the Early Music Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Artist's Website: nigelnorth.com/