Junghänel, Konrad
Junghänel, Konrad
Junghänel, Konrad, distinguished German lutenist, conductor, and teacher; b. Gütersloh, Feb. 27, 1953. He studied at the Cologne Hochschule für Musik, where he became a member of its faculty in 1978. He soon established himself as a lute virtuoso via appearances as a recitalist, chamber player, and soloist with various leading early music ensembles. His engagements took him all over Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Africa. In 1987 he founded and became music director of the vocal ensemble Cantus Colin, which has acquired notable distinction for its performances of music of the Italian and German Renaissance and Baroque eras. Junghänel was awarded the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis in 1985 for his recording of solo lute music of Sylvius Leopold Weiss. He has also won accolades for his performances of solo lute music of J. S. Bach. As a conductor, he has sought out works rarely performed and recorded.
—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire