Award-winning lutenist and guitarist Peter Croton is an active performer & recording artist as soloist & accompanist. In the press he has been called a "lyric poet of the lute" and has been praised for his "breathtaking virtuosity" and "astonishing range of tone colors and dynamics". His compositions for voice & lute have been described as "challenging and refined... highly suited for inclusion in today's concert repertoire". With his duo partner Theresia Bothe (bothecrotonduo.com) he has performed and recorded a wide variety of music, including many of his original songs.

Peter teaches lute, continuo, and historical performance practice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and the Musikhochschule in Bern. His tutor, 'Figured Bass on the Classical Guitar - a practical approach based on historical principles', has been described by Konrad Ragossing as

"...a valuable contribution not only to the practice of  playing thoroughbass on the classical guitar, but above all to the expansion of knowledge of musical practice in a fundamental period in Western music - a  guide equally important for all guitarists, for teachers, students and concert artists".

Since 2011  Peter Croton has been included in the Marquis Who's Who in the World, featuring  biographies of "the most accomplished men and women from around the world and across all fields of endeavor".  

Program BASEL PLUCKS   Programm BASELPLUCKS Deutsch

Peter Croton on YouTube                                                     

Newest solo-CD release:

Light & Shadows - LUTE MUSIC OF THE ITALIAN BAROQUE  Guild GMCD 7388

"The toccatas are performed with rubato and subtle feeling, through which Peter Croton understands how to build musical tension"
Belgian Lute Academy Newsletter

Bach on the Italian lute  Guild GMCD 7321

"Croton's performances are superb."
International Record Review

"These are intelligent, sensitive, and lyrical performances..."  newclassics.co.uk

"...his performances have a uniquely expressive, rhythmically flexible quality..."  allmusicguide.com

"...an extraordinarily differentiated recording"
German Lute Society

"...subtle and transparent...elegently attractive... exceptionally singing manner of playing..." Concerto

“…greatly pleases the ears... enjoyable performances... The sound is indeed wonderfully clear, sweet and direct“

   Early Music Magazine

 

 

Recent CD releases with Theresia Bothe:
"THE LUTE PLAYER and other songs"
a crossover CD
with music by Peter Croton
Theresia Bothe - vocals
Peter Croton - lute, early-classical guitar, electric guitar, vocals
  Cebtaur Records CRC 3209 

"Remembrance of Things Past - lute songs & solos by John Dowland & Peter Croton"
with special guest Derek Lee Ragin.

“…Dowland's music is presented as living and malleable, inspiring transformation as well as new compositions…  often Croton presents settings of the songs in versions for solo lute before the song begins… Also, in the middle of a song he will often give the repeat sections to the lute… Listen also for the nice variations that he makes in some songs when accompanying the voice ... Hearing all this new material created by Croton is like discovering new works by Dowland, such is his sense of style and his ability to emulate Dowland’s melodic gift. Croton’s tone on the lute is good, his phrasing elegant and there is much variety of articulation… The CD ends with a new duo setting of ‘Now, O now’. You might consider Croton to be a brave man in attempting to set such well-known words, but for me, within a few moments of listening I had forgotten the original and was captivated by this version. If you are looking for a fresh approach to traditional material, for new ways in programming, then try this CD, it is full of surprises!”

The Lute Society (England)

Lute News, April 2010

 

"...In the Preludium by Dowland, Peter’s sound is pleasing, the phrasing free and varied; he makes the most of the lute, as he does throughout the entire recording, in which there are plenty of, introductions, arrangements and interludes. .. The originality of this recording lies in the numerous and convincing arrangements of these songs which Peter has created for solo lute, and uses as preludes, ritornellos between verses or postludes.  He accompanies effectively, the bass nicely present and well articulated... Croton preserves the words and rhythms of 'Now O now I need must part', but composes it for two voices, with an original melody, accompanied by arpeggios…a mischievous wink to round off this highly original recording which gently introduces lutenists to contemporary music. "

The French Lute Society

Le Joueur de Luth, March 2010

 

"Blinders seem to be unfamiliar to Peter Croton and Theresia Bothe with regards to making music. They are as comfortable performing early music as they are folk and jazz. Peter Croton... impresses with his subtle virtuosity."

Fono Forum 10/06

 

"This is an unusual offering, and it’s very far from a conventional single disc survey of Dowland’s music, either for lute or voice. Instead it offers re-creationist possibilities and a more curious interplay between his music and that of the performer-composer Peter Croton who has been inspired by it... Croton is a fine lutenist, with an acute ear for colour, and he possesses a strong technique…

Musicweb International

 

"Lutenist Peter Croton presents an extraordinary view of John Dowland and his world."

Toccata, July-August 2010

 

"I'll Sing a Song For You - a unique blend of Folk, Pop, & Jazz"  13 songs by Peter Croton (Zah Zah)
 

“A fantastic blend of styles melding in together to produce a stunningly beautiful cd. The songs, playing and singing is an absolute delight to hear. An album that needs to be heard and savoured.“

Peter Merrett PBS 106-7 FM

Melbourne, Australia

 

“Great CD, a true surprise to us. Excellent, we enjoyed it immensely.”

Harry Boerman Veluwe FM Netherlands

 

"...Peter Croton is a U.S. native who was trained at the Oberlin Conservatory, and has won awards all over North America during his travels... While heavier on the folk/pop component, there's a sweetness and light to the original material heard throughout... Croton is similar to Gordon Lightfoot vocally... A New Orleans shuffle in a quartet setting shows the best improvisation and swing during 'Life Is Fine' as sung by Croton... The remainder of the program leans to folk, especially Croton's impressive acoustic guitar finger style triplet forms on 'Land Of Dreams'..."
  All Music Guide, Michael G. Nastos

 

"This band creates a unique blend of folk pop and jazz. Bothe and Croton's music is formed from the stylings of Billy Holiday and Kenny Burrell... 'Song for Billie Holiday' has impressive guitar accompaniment with strong lyrics... The CD  has impressive vocals and jazz guitar playing, which will make it appeal to fans of folk-laden jazz."
  Metro Spirit, Rich McCracken II

 

"I really like Croton's guitar work, very much in the tradition of many jazz guitarists throughout the years."
  The Run-Off Groove,  John Book

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'Love Songs from Five Centuries - from Baroque to Folk'

Centaur Records
                                                                                                 

Videos with Peter, Theresia & Derek Lee Ragin on YouTube