Daniel Murphy

Daniel Murphy specialises in Baroque & Renaissance Lute, Theorbo, and other historical plucked string instruments. Taking inspiration from the great lute players of the past, and the leading players of the last 25 years, historical accuracy is at the heart of his music-making. In 2026, he was appointed Historical Lute Professor at the Royal College of Music.

 

Entering the Royal College of Music as a Guitarist, he gradually transitioned to the historical performance department and in his third year, he became RCM’s first ever undergraduate principal-study theorbo player, winning the Christopher Hogwood Scholarship and studying with Jakob Lindberg. Daniel soon became sought after as one of the most exciting young continuo players in London, and began working with professional ensembles across the UK and Europe.

 

Daniel is passionate about the Lute as a multi-faceted instrument, and as a result plays with many different sized ensembles and as a soloist. He is a core member of the 6 strong Bellot Ensemble (2025 BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble) and a founder member of the Flutes & Frets Duo with flautist Beth Stone. The Duo has won numerous international awards including the Romanus Weichlein Prize for the advancement of Austrian Music at the 2023 International H.I.F. Biber Competition and the 2022 La Follia Nuova International Chamber Music Competition.

 

As a soloist, Daniel was very pleased to win the 1st International Solo Lute Competition organised by the German Lute Society in 2025, and the 2024 La Risonanza EMSA Competition. He is very experienced at performing on solo & ensemble recordings. His CD’s with Flutes & Frets and Bellot Ensemble have been met with critical acclaim, and in 2027 he is looking forward to recording his first full solo album on Lute