Christopher Parkening (born 14 December 1947) is an American classical guitarist.
Parkening was born in Los Angeles, California and pursued music in part because of the influence of his cousin Jack Marshall, a studio musician in the 1960s. Marshall introduced Parkening to the recordings of Andrés Segovia when he was 11 and encouraged him to study classical guitar. By the time Parkening was 19, he had won a number of competitions and was touring and recording extensively.[citation needed]
He attended the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and was later named given the Outstanding Alumnus Award, “in recognition of his outstanding international achievement and in tribute to his stature throughout the world as America’s preeminent virtuoso of the classical guitar.” [1]
Parkening has amassed a large discography on Angel/EMI Classics and has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards. A notable recording is Parkening Plays Vivaldi featuring a selection of Baroque concertos, as well as the world premiere recording of Peter Warlock's Capriol Suite, with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
Christopher Parkening lives with his wife, Theresa, and son Luke in Southern California. Each summer he teaches master classes in Bozeman, Montana. He is a committed Christian, having appeared on the 700 Club, and regards performance as an expression of his faith. Parkening is also a world class fly fishing and casting champion, who has won the International Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament (the “Wimbledon” of fly fishing) in the Florida Keys.
In 2006, the first Parkening International Guitar Competition (http://arts.pepperdine.edu/parkening) was held at Pepperdine University, where Parkening is a Distinguished Professor of Music. The competition is held every three years. There is also a Parkening Young Guitarists Competition (http://arts.pepperdine.edu/parkening/youngguitarist), for musicians aged 17 years and younger, held along with the main competition.
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“. . . the leading guitar virtuoso of our day, combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery of his instrument.” The Washington Post
“Parkening is considered America’s reigning classical guitarist, carrying the torch of his mentor, the late Andrés Segovia.” The Los Angeles Times
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   | Parkening International Guitar Competition - Parkening International Guitar Competition | Center for the Arts | Pepperdine University |
| | Some photos of LP covers - CONTENTdm Collection : Search Results |
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