Ronn McFarlane

Ronn McFarlane (born 1953) is an American lutenist and composer, most notable as an interpreter of Renaissance music. He formerly taught lute at the Peabody Conservatory, and has recorded many albums as a solo performer and in collaboration with others, including the groups Ayreheart and The Baltimore Consort, and as a guest artist for countless other groups. He resides in West Linn, Oregon (a suburb of Portland), and continues to perform and compose to this day.

Life and career Ronn McFarlane was born in West Virginia and grew up in Maryland. He began playing guitar as a teenager and went on to play blues and rock music in popular music bands. He studied classical guitar at Shenandoah Conservatory and continued his studies at Peabody Conservatory with Paul O'Dette, Roger Harmon, and Pat O'Brien. In 1978, he began to concentrate on lute, and in 1979 became a founding member of the Baltimore Consort. He began a touring career in the United States, Canada and Europe, both with the Baltimore Consort and as a soloist.

From 1984-1995, he was a faculty member of the Peabody Conservatory teaching lute. In 1996, he received an honorary Doctorate of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory for his achievements as a musician and recording artist. McFarlane began composing music for the lute and working with a new ensemble called Ayreheart. He has also published collections of lute music, including Scottish Lute in 1998 and Highland King: The Scottish Lute in 2003.

Discography McFarlane made over 25 recordings for the Dorian Recordings label, including solo albums, lute performances, recordings with the Baltimore Consort and other selections. His solo CD Indigo Road, which featured original compositions, received a Grammy Award Nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album in 2009.

Solo The Art of Vivaldi's Lute, 2011 One Morning, 2009 Indigo Road, 2007 The Art of the Lute, 2003 Highland King, 1999 A Distant Shore, 1997 Between Two Hearts, 1996 The Renaissance Lute, 1994 The Lute Music of John Dowland, 1991 The Scottish Lute, 1990

Collaborations Fermi's Paradox, with Carloyn Surrick, 2020 Nine Notes that Shook the World with Mindy Rosenfeld, 2013 Two Lutes with William Simms, 2012 Blame Not My Lute with Robert Aubry Davis, 2010 The Italian Lute Song with Julianne Baird, 1996 The English Lute Song with Julianne Baird, 1993 O Mistress Mine with Frederick Urrey, 1986 Greensleeves with Julianne Baird, 1985

With Ayreheart Barley Moon, 2016

With The Baltimore Consort Adio Espana: Romances Sonatas & Improvisations, 2009 Bright Day Star, 2009 Live in Concert (live recording), 2008 Gut, Wind and Wire, 2007 Adew Dundee, 2003 Best of the Baltimore Consort (compilation), 2003 Amazing Grace also with Custer LaRue, 2001 The Mad Buckgoat, 1999 The Ladyes Delight, 1998 Tunes from the Attic, 1997 A Trip to Killburn, 1996 A Baltimore Consort Collection, 1996 The True Lover's Farewell also with Custer LaRue, 1995 La Rocque 'N' Roll, 1993 Custer LaRue Sing the Daemon Lover also with Custer LaRue, 1993 The Art of the Bawdy Song, 1993 Watkins Ale, 1992 On the Banks of Helicon, 1990

Works Selected compositions include:

Chamber works Sycamore, for lute, flute and bass Indigo Road, for lute Cathedral Cave, for lute, flute, bass and percussion Denali, for lute Overland, for lute, harp, string quartet, bass and percussion Pinetops, for lute, cittern and bass Blue Norther, for lute Chocolate Factory, for lute and percussion Rosa, for lute, harmonium, bass and percussion Uncharted Waters, for lute and bass Dowland's Goodnight, for lute Early Christmas Morning, for lute Gigue, for lute Thistleheart, for lute, flute and bass Over the Green Earth, for lute Augusta, for lute, harp, bass and percussion A Day in November, for lute and ensemble Bad Hair Day, for lute, sounds and ensemble Dakota Days, for lute Before the Wind, for lute and ensemble Man of Arms, for lute On the Heath, for two lutes Lullaby for Anne, for lute One Morning, for lute and percussion

Vocal works Borderland, song Snapdragon, song Wolf Summit, song Union Bridge, song

Choral works Nocturne, for chorus and lute Sings in Her Sleep, song