The NDSU School of Music is scheduled to present “A Conversation with Christopher Parkening,” Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Beckwith Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Parkening is celebrated as one of the world’s pre-eminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. For more than 40 years, his concerts and recordings have received international acclaim. He has performed around the globe, including at the White House, with Placido Domingo on “Live from Lincoln Center,” participated in Carnegie Hall’s 100th anniversary celebration and performed twice on the Grammy Awards.
Performance highlights include appearances with soprano Renée Fleming at the National Gallery, accompanying the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London and performances with John Williams, Josh Groban and the Boston Pops. He has collaborated regularly with soprano Kathleen Battle and baritone Jubilant Sykes.
Named “Best Classical Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine, Parkening was placed in their Gallery of Greats alongside his mentor and friend, Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia.
While at the NDSU School of Music, Parkening will present a master class for area guitar students. His evening presentation will be a discussion of his life, his experiences, and his thoughts on classical guitar and music.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.