Andrew performs on classical and baroque guitars. His interest in the early guitar dates back to his undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba where he studied with the lutenist Richard Burleson. In 1976 he undertook a Master of Music degree at the University of Manchester focussing on the 17th C guitar, specifically the music of Francesco Corbetta. He was supported in this study by the lutenist James Tyler who provided much valuable advice. Andrew’s dissertation was a critical edition and transcription of Francesco Corbetta’s La Guitarre Royalle of 1670. As part of that work he learned to perform on the early instrument and subsequently performed a number of concerts both in the UK and Canada on a five course guitar made by Martin Bowers. The Bowers guitar is based on one of the extant Stradivarious guitars.
While in Manchester Andrew studied classical guitar with Gordon Crosskey. His repertoire is wide but has two main areas: Spanish, particularly the repertoire associated with Andres Segovia, and contemporary composers, particularly the music of Vincent Lindsey-Clark and Ralph Towner.
For many years he played an instrument by J. Farre.
He currently plays an instrument by Bert Kwakkel
Andrew Allen 