Strings that speak centuries.

When Thomas Dunford’s fingers meet lute strings, four centuries combine into one moment of pure presence. Hailed as the ‘Eric Clapton of the lute’ (BBC Music Magazine), this master of Renaissance and Baroque repertoire transforms Elisabeth Murdoch Hall into an intimate salon where John Dowland’s melodies rouse and J.S. Bach’s architectural genius breathe with impressive finesse and immediacy.

Tracing an arc from melancholy to transcendence, Dunford opens with Dowland’s haunting Lachrimae (Flow My Tears), showcasing his ability to draw vocal-like phrasing from plucked strings. The evening’s emotional core lies in J.S. Bach’s monumental Chaconne, originally written for solo violin but here reimagined for lute with breathtaking sensitivity.

In an accelerated world, Dunford’s artistry creates space for deep listening and genuine reflection. His command extends beyond skill and agility; he creates moments where ancient wisdom meets contemporary soul-searching.