Christopher Parkening

Christopher Parkening is celebrated as one of the world's pre-eminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. The Washington Post called him "the leading guitar virtuoso of our day, combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery of his instrument." The New York Times described his playing as "so intelligent, sensitive and adept that one can forget everything but the music." The Los Angeles Times stated that "Parkening is considered America's reigning classical guitarist, carrying the torch of his mentor, the late Andrés Segovia." The great Spanish guitarist Segovia himself proclaimed, "Christopher Parkening is a great artist,he is one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world."

Parkening's performances, recordings, and collaborations, which have included artists such as Julie Andrews, Josh Groban, Kathleen Battle, Renée Fleming, Placido Domingo, Jubilant Sykes, and composers/conductors Elmer Bernstein and John Williams, have received the highest worldwide acclaim.

A frequent soloist with leading orchestras, Parkening has performed at the White House and appeared on 20/20, The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and The Grammy® Awards and recorded the soundtrack for the movie, "Stepmom."

Parkening has recorded extensively for Angel/EMI Classic and has twice received Grammy® nominations.

He is Distinguished Professor of Music and Chair of the Guitar Department at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Christopher Parkening, his wife, Theresa, and their son reside in Southern California. At the heart of his dedication to performance, recording, and teaching is a deep commitment to the Christian faith. He is also a world class fly-fishing and casting champion who has won the International Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament (the Wimbledon of fly-fishing) held in Islamorada, Florida.

Concert Reviews:

"Parkening confirmed his stature as the leading guitar virtuoso of our day, combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery of his instrument."
The Washington Post

"The shadow cast by Andrés Segovia is long, but the mantle of the Spanish master has always rested easily upon the shoulders--or fingers--of classical guitarist Christopher Parkening."
Chicago Tribune

"His musical instincts remain as sound as his ability to communicate forcefully to a large audience on one of the most intimate of solo instruments."
San Francisco Chronicle

"No one exceeds him in sheer mastery of the guitar . . ."
The Boston Globe

"Andrés Segovia protege Christopher Parkening might be considered the great American classical guitar exponent by now, having graced concert stages for a quarter century."
Los Angeles Times

"No guitarist is more qualified than Parkening to give such a [Segovia] celebration. A student and friend of Segovia's, he selected the program with a deep awareness of the master's art and played it with a sense of style, a variety of tonal colors and a self-possessed technique that called Segovia himself to mind."
The Washington Post



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