Dorian Bandy

Dorian Bandy is a musicologist and performer specializing in the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. He is the author of Mozart the Performer, which proposes a model for Mozart interpretation based on historical studies of Mozart's activities as a pianist and improviser and analytic accounts of his sonatas, concertos, symphonies, and operas. Dorian's research interests also include Beethoven, German instrumental music c.1660-1720, and Lieder c.1780-1840, as well as various issues in aesthetics and the philosophy of music (including the work concept, meme theory, musical meaning, and the philosophy of historical performance), and philosophical artworks more broadly (especially Stephen Sondheim's musicals). His writings on these and related topics have appeared in publications ranging from leading academic journals to blogs such as violinist.com and aestheticsforbirds.com. He is a member of the Re:Enlightenment collective.

In addition, Dorian maintains a career as a conductor, baroque violinist, and historical keyboardist. His repertoire spans four centuries, and his performances — acclaimed for their vitality, drama, and warmth — have taken him to venues across Europe and North America, including London’s Wigmore and Cadogan Halls, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and New York’s Symphony Space.