David J Smith

David J Smith was organ scholar at St Peter’s College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he completed his doctorate on the instrumental music of Peter Philips (1560/61-1628).He became Assistant Director of Music at the University of Aberdeen in 1994, served as Head of Music from 2009 to 2013 and is Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music and Organist to the University.

His edition of the complete keyboard works of Peter Philips is published in the scholarly series Musica Britannica, and another volume containing the complete consort music of Philips and Richard Dering will be published as volume 101.He has published on early keyboard music, Scottish music manuscripts, Peter Philips (1560/61-1628) and has been invited to speak at international conferences and festivals.

David is an organist, harpsichordist, recorder player and accompanist. As a performer, David specialises in early keyboard music from England and the Netherlands, and in improvisation: 'David J. Smith is renowned for his improvisations...he gave us a sturdy Prelude and Fugue in the German Baroque style and ... he brought the recital to a close with a Toccata-like modern piece, full of wonderful sharp edges, twists and turns and excellent good humour.'