Christopher Parkening

Christopher Parkening (born December 14, 1947) is an American classical guitarist. He holds the Chair of Classical Guitar at Pepperdine University under the title Distinguished Professor of Music.

Biography

Parkening was born in Los Angeles, California. His cousin Jack Marshall, a studio musician active in the 1960s, introduced Parkening to the recordings of Andrés Segovia when he was 11 and encouraged his classical guitar studies. By the age of 19 he had embarked on a professional career of regular touring and recording.^[1]

Segovia has stated that, "Christopher Parkening is a great artist—-he is one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world."^[1][2]

Parkening withdrew from public performances and recording seeking a respite from the demands of a professional career and a chance to pursue his hobby of flyfishing. During this period Parkening rarely played guitar choosing instead to focus his attention on his Montana ranch and trout stream. While visiting his Southern California home in winter; a neighbour invited Parkening to the Grace Community Church. Profoundly affected by this experience Parkening^[3] returned to recording and performing with a renewed sense of purpose. He then released Simple Gifts, an album of traditional Christian hymns arranged for classical guitar. His autobiography Grace Like a River was published in 2006.^[4]

Parkening has recorded extensively for Angel and EMI Classics. He has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award. Notable recordings include Parkening Plays Vivaldi featuring a selection of Baroque concertos, Pleasures of Their Company with soprano Kathleen Battle, produced by Patti Laursen and nominated for the 1986 Classical Record of the Year Grammy Award as well as the world premiere recording of Peter Warlock's Capriol Suite with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.^[5]

Christopher Parkening lives with his wife, Theresa, and son Luke in Southern California. He has taught a public master class at Pepperdine University.

Partial discography

LP

• The Christopher Parkening Album, Angel S-36069
• In the Classic Style—Bach, Angel S-36019
• In the Spanish Style—Albéniz, Angel S-36020
• Parkening Plays Bach, Angel S-36041
• Romanza, Angel S-36021

CD

• Christopher Parkening—A Bach Celebration with Ron Ravenscroft and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (1990), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RNL
• Christopher Parkening Plays Bach (1990), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RNJ
• Christopher Parkening with David Brandon—Virtuoso Duets (1990), Angel ASIN-B000002RQ9
• In the Spanish Style/Christopher Parkening (1990), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RNK
• Pleasures of Their Company with Kathleen Battle (1990), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RNM
• Simple Gifts (1990), Angel ASIN-B000002SJJ
• A Tribute to Segovia (1991), Capitol ASIN-B000002RQ8
• Artistry of Christopher Parkening (1993), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RTK
• The Great Recordings—By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso (1993), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RTR
• Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Walton: 5 Bagatelles with Andrew Litton and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1993), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RT5
• Christopher Parkening Plays Vivaldi Guitar Concertos & Warlock Capriol Suite (1994), EMI Classics ASIN-B000002RU3
• Angel's Glory with Kathleen Battle (1996), Angel ASIN-B0000029TS
• Celebrates Segovia (1998), EMI Classics ASIN-B00000AGKF
• Elmer Bernstein—Concerto for Guitar—E. Bernstein—Albeniz—Marshall (2000), EMI Classics ASIN-B00004ZDLL
• Grace Like A River (2006), Angel ASIN-B000F2CAN8
• Christopher Parkening Collection (2 CDs), Musical Heritage Society ASIN-B000B5GPA8
• 100 Best Guitar (6 CDs)(2008) EMI Classics

References

Further reading

• Parkening, Christopher and Tyers, Kathy. Grace like a River. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2006.
• Brad Conroy interview with Christopher Parkneing, Guitar International

External links

• Christopher Parkening Official Website
• Parkening International Guitar Competition
• Christopher Parkening - Distinguished Professor of Music

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