Keith O. Johnson is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music through his exceptional skills as a recording engineer and producer. He was born on August 22, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a classical pianist, which exposed him to different genres of music from a young age. Johnson's interest in music began at an early age, and he started playing the piano when he was just five years old. He later learned to play the trumpet and the French horn, which he played in his high school band. After completing high school, Johnson attended the University of Southern California, where he studied music and audio engineering. After completing his studies, Johnson began his career as a recording engineer at Capitol Records in Hollywood. He worked on several projects, including recordings for Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and the Beach Boys. In 1972, he joined the team at Reference Recordings, a company that specialized in producing high-quality classical music recordings. At Reference Recordings, Johnson quickly established himself as a skilled recording engineer and producer. He worked on several critically acclaimed recordings, including the San Francisco Symphony's recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 3, which won a Grammy Award in 1984. He also worked on recordings for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra, among others. One of Johnson's most significant achievements was his work on the recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Eiji Oue. The recording was made using a new recording technique called "HDAD," which allowed for high-resolution audio playback. The recording was released on both CD and DVD-Audio, and it received critical acclaim for its exceptional sound quality. In addition to his work at Reference Recordings, Johnson also worked as a freelance recording engineer and producer. He worked on recordings for several major labels, including Sony Classical, Deutsche Grammophon, and Telarc. He also worked on recordings for independent labels, including Chesky Records and Water Lily Acoustics. Throughout his career, Johnson has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a recording engineer and producer. He has won ten Grammy Awards, including two for "Best Engineered Album, Classical" and one for "Producer of the Year, Classical." He has also received several awards from the Audio Engineering Society, including the "Silver Medal" and the "Gold Medal." Johnson's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and his work as a recording engineer and producer has helped to elevate the quality of classical music recordings. His dedication to his craft and his commitment to producing high-quality recordings have made him one of the most respected figures in the music industry. In conclusion, Keith O. Johnson is a highly accomplished classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music through his exceptional skills as a recording engineer and producer. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, and his dedication to producing high-quality recordings has helped to elevate the quality of classical music recordings.

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