Renowned musician strikes academic chord
Professor John Griffiths
A distinguished guitar and lute virtuoso, inspiring teacher, and internationally recognised scholar of Spanish and Italian Renaissance and Baroque music has accepted a position at Monash University.
Professor John Griffiths, a Monash alumnus, has taken up the role of Adjunct Professor in the School of Music – Conservatorium.
Professor Griffiths has an outstanding record of contributions to Spanish and Italian studies. As a performer, his 40 years of expertise as a lutenist, guitarist and world authority on the vihuela, the precursor of the Spanish Guitar, is almost without peer.
He has made numerous CD recordings on these instruments and has led the famous music ensemble La Romanesca for over 34 years.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Rae Frances, said Professor Griffiths's appointment adds to the already highly credentialled academic activities at the School of Music – Conservatorium.
“Professor Griffiths’s international contacts, wide breadth of knowledge in Mediterranean studies and experience as an editor greatly expands the parameters of the School of Music,” Professor Frances said.
“He has an enviable record as an inspiring teacher of music students. Monash University is indeed fortunate to have obtained the expertise of Professor Griffiths.”
With an extensive list of publications in Renaissance and Baroque music under his belt, Professor Griffiths has written over 10 books in the field, contributed chapters to other books, and completed translations of important texts. His scholarship will also add another dimension to the research being conducted by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Monash.
After studying at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, an education and research centre for early music in Switzerland, Professor Griffiths was awarded a PhD in Musicology at Monash University in 1984.
For many years, has been the General Editor in Australia of Lyrebird Press, and has supervised the publication of many volumes of early music, monographs and Australian music.
His contribution to the music and culture of Spain was recognised in 1993 when he was named an Officer in the Order of Isabel the Catholic, by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
Professor Griffiths began his new role at the start of 2012.