Professor David J. Smith

David J. Smith is an organist, harpsichordist and recorder player. He specialises in early seventeenth-century keyboard music from England and The Netherlands, and in improvisation in a variety of styles and idioms. ‘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.’
Before moving to Northumbria University in September 2018 as Founding Head of Music, David was professor of music at the University of Aberdeen, where he served as Head of Music and was Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music.

David’s recording of sacred vocal music and organ works by J.S. Bach with the Choir of King’s College, Aberdeen, met with critical acclaim. The 5* review in Choir & Organ described an ‘unforgettable experience’ in which ‘the text is interpreted with great sensitivity, intelligence and breath control’ and ‘Bach chorale preludes provide contemplative interludes between the vocal works’. Tracks from the CD were broadcast on Radio 3, Radio Scotland and in the USA. David directed the choir in two motets by Peter Philips (1560/61–1628) with internationally acclaimed Rose Consort of Viols on Exiled, a recording of music by Philips and Dering. The Rose Consort performs pieces from his scholarly edition of consort music by Philips and Richard Dering (c.1580–1630) for Musica Britannica alongside keyboard pieces by Philips played by David from his scholarly edition. ‘With the Rose Consort listeners know that they will be hearing consummate performances. David Smith is not only the world expert on Philips now but is also himself a fine harpsichordist’ (Early Music Review). David played harpsichord continuo Music for French Kings, a recording of music for the distinctive sound of the musette (played by Amanda Babington) which featured on Radio 3’s The Early Music Show.

Recent recitals have included music by William Byrd, Benjamin Cosyn and Orlando Gibbons at Newcastle Cathedral on the Wetheringsett organ, an organ reconstructed from rare surviving parts of a pre-Reformation English organ, and music for harpsichord and musette, harpsichord and violin, and duos for two recorders with Amanda Babington as part of the Newcastle Early Music Festival.