John Butt

John Butt is a distinguished academic and performer, currently holding the Gardiner Chair of Music at the University of Glasgow and serving as Head of Department (2001-05). His career spans prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, King’s College Cambridge, and Magdalene College Cambridge. He is renowned for integrating performance practice with scholarly research.

• Education: PhD in Bach studies, University of Cambridge
• Research Interests: Bach interpretation, Baroque music, historical performance practices, modernity in musicology, and the intersection of plainchant with Roman Catholic culture in Elgar's work.

His research explores the ontology of 17th-century music and the cultural implications of historically informed performance. Articles and projects highlight his interdisciplinary approach, linking musicology with philosophy and cultural studies. He has received major awards including Gramophone, MIDEM, and Fellowships from the British Academy and Royal Society of Edinburgh.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Royal Academy of Music/Kohn Foundation Bach Prize (2010)
  • Gramophone Award (2007)
  • MIDEM Award (2008)
  • Fellow of the British Academy (2006)
  • Dent Medal (2003)

As a conductor and keyboardist, he leads the Dunedin Consort and has produced acclaimed recordings of Bach and Handel. His work bridges academic and performative realms, emphasizing the dialogue between historical and contemporary musical understanding.