Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1959 in Florida

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Lee Santana is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on December 12, 1958, in New York City, United States. Santana grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known jazz guitarist. From a young age, Santana showed a keen interest in music and started playing the guitar at the age of six. Santana's early musical education was influenced by his father, who taught him the basics of jazz guitar. However, Santana's interest in classical music grew as he started listening to recordings of classical guitarists such as Julian Bream and Andres Segovia. He was particularly drawn to the works of Bach, and his interest in the composer's music led him to study the lute. Santana's formal musical education began at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied classical guitar with Sharon Isbin. He later continued his studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, where he studied lute with Hopkinson Smith. Santana's time in Switzerland was a turning point in his career, as he was exposed to the rich tradition of early music and the historical performance practice movement. After completing his studies, Santana embarked on a successful career as a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, and has collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians and ensembles. Santana's performances are known for their technical brilliance, musical sensitivity, and deep understanding of the historical context of the music. One of Santana's most significant achievements was his recording of Bach's complete lute works, which was released in 2000. The recording was widely acclaimed and established Santana as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. In addition to his Bach recordings, Santana has also recorded works by other composers such as Dowland, Weiss, and Kapsberger. Santana's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1992, he was awarded the prestigious Erwin Bodky Award by the Cambridge Society for Early Music. The award recognized Santana's outstanding contributions to the performance and study of early music. In 2005, he was awarded the Echo Klassik Award for his recording of Bach's lute works. In addition to his performing career, Santana is also a respected teacher and scholar. He has taught at several institutions, including the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Santana's scholarly work has focused on the historical performance practice of early music, and he has published several articles and books on the subject. Santana's contributions to the world of music have been significant, and his legacy as a performer, teacher, and scholar will continue to inspire future generations of musicians. His technical brilliance, musical sensitivity, and deep understanding of the historical context of the music have made him one of the most respected and admired classical music artists of our time.

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