“Few instruments can rival the guitar's capacity for conveying shifting moods, emotions, and pictures in sound. Michael's virtuoso playing took all this to new heights.”

(Winchester Cathedral Concert Review/ professor Roger Richardson)

Acknowledged as “A forerunner in the new generation of classical guitarists” (BBC Radio), Michael Christian Durrant continues to establish himself as one of England’s finest and most creative young musicians. He enjoys a busy performance schedule, with concerts ranging from intimate solo recitals to large-scale concerto performances.

Michael performs regularly across the UK, and recent sell-out concerts for King’s Lynn Music Society, Ely Arts Festival, Crail Music Festival, Gloucester Cathedral, Wye Valley Music Society, Aylesbury Music Society, Manchester Cathedral, Wakefield Concert Society, Somerton Arts Festival, and Winchester Cathedral are a testament to his musical ability and rising popularity.

“It was very fitting that all the tickets were sold for this wonderful performance by Michael Christian Durrant, truly a stellar classical guitarist with a natural ease and presence.”

(Arts Desk/ Crail Music Festival)

A dedicated chamber musician, Michael also collaborates regularly by performing and recording with a diverse range of artists; including the violinist Alexander Markov, the pianist Nico de Villiers, and the flamenco guitarist Samuel Moore. In September 2017, Michael performed alongside the Winchester Cathedral Chamber Choir in an anniversary concert celebrating the music of the Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, including a performance of the evocative Romancero Gitano, Op. 152 for guitar and mixed choir. Michael continues to cultivate a range of new collaborative projects and is currently working alongside the Portuguese violinist Inês Delgado, the Spanish guitarist Isabel Martínez, and the Canadian pianist Morgan-Paige Melbourne.

“Michael is an incredibly musical and passionate guitarist. I’ve had the pleasure of performing with him and his technique, tone and musicality are extraordinary.”

(Alexander Markov, Violinist/ Warner Classics International Artist)

Michael studied classical guitar with Maestro Carlos Bonell, professor of guitar at the Royal College of Music (RCM), London and Maestro Giulio Tampalini at Accademia della Chitarra di Brescia in Italy. He studied full-time as a master’s student at the RCM and was awarded an MSc with distinction in 2018. Notably, Michael was the first classical guitarist to be awarded a master’s studentship from the RCM and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), covering his full tuition fees and living expenses throughout the duration of his studies at the College. Always keen to learn and grow, Michael has also participated in masterclasses with some of the classical guitar’s leading artists, including: Craig Ogden, Gary Ryan & Xeufei Yang.

“Michael is a classical guitarist who plays with a rare level of expression and intelligence. Moreover, he has an ability to communicate through music that sets him apart as one of the leading and most engaging young guitarists on the scene.”

(Maestro Giulio Tampalini/ Warner Classics International Artist)

Since 2014, Michael has been represented by the London-based agency Gary Parkes Music Ltd. and he enjoys a busy international performance schedule. In addition to his recital commitments on land, Michael is sought-after as a classical artiste by the world’s leading cruise lines, and he continues to present concerts for Cunard, Seabourn, P&O, Holland America, Saga, Silversea, and Princess Cruises. Michael has performed on over fifty cruises to date, and these travels have taken him all over the world.

“Whereas many solo performers are no less and no more than fine musicians, Michael's introductions and commentaries on works in his programme bring with them an extra level of engagement with his audience. They sat there spellbound as this young musician played and were left panting for more.”

(Winchester Cathedral Concert Review/ professor Roger Richardson)

In addition to his performance commitments, Michael continues to demonstrate a natural ability to inspire others as a teacher, and in 2011 was invited to lead masterclasses for Language and Music for Life (LMFL) international summer courses. He directed the classical guitar programme for LMFL between 2011–2014, including courses in Le Chambon-sur-lignon, France; Llandovery College, Wales; Ordino, Andorra; and at the Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello in Venice, Italy. Closer to home, Michael established the West Yorkshire Classical Guitar Society (WYCGS) in 2012 and continues to work with a select number of private students in London. In 2018, Michael was appointed by Maestro Giulio Tamplani as a classical guitar teacher at Accademia Internazionale della Chitarra di Brescia, Italy.

Michael Christian Durrant plays a 2008 Greg Smallman concert guitar and uses Augustine classical guitar strings.