John is an internationally recognized Mozart scholar. He has published five books on Mozart, including an international best-selling biography, The Treasures of Mozart, and scholarly texts on Mozart’s Piano Sonatas and Concerti. He is also a performer, specialising in 18th-century historical performance practice as a fortepianist, clavichordist and harpsichordist. His recent performances include appearances at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and King’s Place, London; a recital in the ‘Intimate Encounters’ series at Clare Hall, Cambridge; the North York Moors Music Festival; Petersham Festival; Tudeley Festival; and at the Greenwich Early Music Festival. His latest CD recording project is a Mozart programme on a historic clavichord dating from 1763 in the Russell Collection, University of Edinburgh and is supported by The British Academy.
Besides research and performance, John’s career has also included many management positions in national music organisations, including his present appointments as Vice President of The Royal Musical Association and Trustee of the Horniman Museum, as well as being a member on various advisory boards, such as the British Library Journal. He is an Associate Fellow of The Institute of Musical Research, a Fellow of The Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
He joined Canterbury Christ Church University on 1 August 2011 as Head of Music and Performing Arts, and Professor of Music History and Performance Practice, having previously held Chairs in Music at the University of Bristol and The University of London. Immediately prior to his arrival in Canterbury was Director of The Institute of Musical Research, at London’s School of Advanced Study – the UK’s national music research institution.
He has been awarded a Benjamin Meaker Visiting Professorship at The University of Bristol for the autumn term 2012. He will be giving a series of lectures and recitals on his ongoing research, including the recently-completed British Academy-funded project, ‘Mozart on the Hass Clavichord’.
John was recently appointed to Associate Fellowship of The Institute of Musical Research, School of Advanced Study, University of London.