Birth

:

in San Diego, CA

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Robert Barto is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a lute player. He was born in the United States in 1951 and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer, so it was only natural that Barto would develop an interest in music from a young age. Barto's interest in the lute began when he was a teenager. He was introduced to the instrument by a friend who was studying classical guitar, and he was immediately drawn to its unique sound and rich history. He began taking lessons and quickly became proficient on the instrument. After completing his undergraduate studies in music, Barto moved to Europe to further his education. He studied with some of the most renowned lute players of the time, including Eugen Dombois and Hopkinson Smith. He also spent time studying historical performance practice, which would become a cornerstone of his approach to playing the lute. Barto's career as a professional musician began in the 1980s. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented lute players of his generation, and he began performing regularly throughout Europe and the United States. He also began recording albums, which would become a major part of his legacy as a musician. One of Barto's most notable performances was at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1991. He performed a program of music by John Dowland, one of the most famous lute composers of the Renaissance. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Barto as a leading figure in the world of classical music. Over the course of his career, Barto has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a musician. In 1995, he was awarded the prestigious Diapason d'Or award for his recording of music by Sylvius Leopold Weiss. He has also been awarded the Echo Klassik award, the Gramophone award, and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Barto's approach to playing the lute is characterized by his commitment to historical performance practice. He believes that the music of the past should be performed in a way that is true to the time period in which it was written. This means using period instruments and playing techniques, as well as studying the historical context of the music. Barto's recordings are a testament to his commitment to historical performance practice. He has recorded music by some of the most famous lute composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including John Dowland, Sylvius Leopold Weiss, and Johann Sebastian Bach. His recordings are known for their clarity, precision, and attention to detail. In addition to his work as a performer and recording artist, Barto is also a respected teacher and scholar. He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in the world, including the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands. He has also written extensively on the history and performance of lute music. In conclusion, Robert Barto is a classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through his work as a lute player, recording artist, teacher, and scholar. His commitment to historical performance practice has helped to preserve and promote the music of the past, and his recordings are a testament to his skill and dedication as a musician.

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