Michael Christian Durrant is one of the most exciting English classical guitarists of the current generation. Born in England, he took up the guitar at the age of four and continues to inspire audiences across the world with his expressive playing and engaging, amiable character. He is widely recognised for presenting beautifully varied concert programmes, his gripping stage-persona and his ability to summon forth a huge variety of tone-colours from the guitar.
Performing at Wells Cathedral during the 2014 UK Cathedral Tour
Durrant studied classical guitar performance under the supervision of Peter Batchelar at the Leeds Conservatoire of Music, graduating with first-class honours. On graduation from the conservatoire, Durrant was decorated with awards. He was presented with The James F Cardno Prize for Academic Achievement in Higher Education for the highest marked academic portfolio across all higher education courses. He was also presented with The Michael Grady Memorial Prize for Composition, for the highest marked composition portfolio across all higher education courses. Later, he continued his studies with the world-renowned classical guitarist, maestro Carlos Bonell at the Royal College of Music, London and privately with the internationally esteemed musicologist and classical guitarist Graham Wade.
Further to these studies, Durrant has also participated in public masterclasses with many of the world’s most revered classical guitar players and pedagogues, including; Michael Lewin, David Russell, Xuefei Yang, Edoardo Catemario, Martha Masters, Fernando Espi, Ricardo Gallen, and the lutenist Robin Thodey. Durrant has won first prizes for performances at many competitive music festivals, including the best string soloist in the Harrogate music festival 2011.
Durrant performs extensively in England’s most beautiful venues, and can often be heard playing concerts throughout the country. Throughout the spring and summer of 2014 Durrant performed across the UK on his 2014 Cathedral Tour. The itinerary included some of the UK’s most stunning cathedrals including Wells Cathedral, Ely Cathedral and Gloucester Cathedral. These concerts were met with critical acclaim and audiences were delighted with the varied programmes performed.
Durrant has performed concerts internationally, most recently in Spain, Italy, Andorra, and France. He has performed live on BBC Radio and recorded several discs, including his recently released album, Romantico: Romantic Solos for Classical Guitar. The album is a collection of beautiful melodies and diverse moods, including guitar classics by Albeniz, Tarrega and Rodrigo.
Durrant is a keen advocate for the performance of chamber music, and has performed alongside such revered musicians as the recorder virtuoso David Bellugi, Vikki Sharp of Opera North, the highly regarded English cellist Richard May, the English soprano Emma Williams and the internationally acclaimed violinist Alexander Markov.
Durrant is also increasingly in demand as a teacher, regularly giving masterclasses internationally. In 2012-13 he taught classical guitar masterclasses at the Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy and has led courses in France, Andorra and the UK.
Performing with a student ensemble at the Conservatorio Benedtto Marcello in Venice, Italy
Durrant is a specialist in the field of performance science, and has undertaken extensive research into overcoming performance anxiety. He integrates these psychological aspects of musical performance and interpretation into his all of his teaching and can help motivate students to overcome performance nerves, as well as leading them through their own personal technical and musical development. In 2014 he began leading classical guitar courses for the UK-based company HF Holidays.
Durrant is the founder of the West Yorkshire Classical Guitar Society, and is actively involved with the promotion, nurturing and performance of the classical guitar and its music throughout the North of England.
Michael Christian Durrant plays classical guitars, handmade by the fine English luthier Sam McClaren. He uses D’Addario Pro Arte classical guitar strings.