DMA Lecture-Recital: Danur Kvilhaug, Lute | Department of Music

Danur Kvilhaug DMA Lecture Recital Photo

Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel
Format: In-Person (no livestream)
Admission: Free | Open to the Public

Danur Kvilhaug is active as a lutenist and vocalist, performing regularly throughout North America. Recent engagements include the Newberry Consort, Les Delices, Bourbon Baroque, Tonos, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed at the Madison Early Music Festival, the Bloomington Early Music Festival, and with the Red River Lyric Opera. He received his MM in Musicology from The University of Oklahoma, and an MM and Performance Diploma in historical performance at Indiana University under the tutelage ofNigel North. He is pursuing a doctorate in historical performance practice at Case Western Reserve University, studying with Lucas Harris.

About The Program

Invention, Ingenuity, and Integrity: Italian lute music at the turn of the cinquecento

Danur Kvilhaug, lute
Naomi McMahon, soprano

In the last decade of the 15th century, the lute flourished in the Italian peninsula as both a solo and accompanimental instrument. The earliest sources for lute (the first prints by Petrucci, dating to 1508-1509, and the earliest manuscript source, dating to c.1505). present a repertoire that was largely mature in its compositional and virtuosic integrity, leading most scholars to believe that the lute was likely a part of an older, non-written tradition dating back to the mid 15th century. Contemporary accounts of famous lutenists of the time attest to this, as many of the more highly praised performers were known for improvising both solos and songs, though modern scholars and performers have very little evidence as to what this music may have sounded like due to the lack of contemporary evidence. The aim of my lecture recital is to utilize the repertoires that we do have from the early 16th century, as well as a theoretical background of the musical language of the time, to attempt to parse out this gap, and in the meantime, address an important question on authorship and compositional integrity.

CWRU Music 2025–26 Concert Season

The Case Western Reserve University Department of Music presents a dynamic season of concerts, recitals, and special events featuring students, faculty, and guest artists. From classical masterworks to contemporary works, the series highlights the creativity and excellence of CWRU’s vibrant music community. All events are open to the public.

During the 2025–26 season, CWRU celebrates its Bicentennial—200 years of academic excellence, innovation, and impact—honoring the generations who have shaped the performing arts at CWRU while looking ahead to the future.

Venue Information

Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel (est. 1902) offers a warm, intimate, and acoustically resonant setting on the Mather Quad. This neo-Gothic landmark commemorates the brief life of Florence Harkness Severance and reflects Cleveland’s rich cultural and philanthropic history. Designed by architect Charles F. Schweinfurth, the chapel is renowned for its soaring arches, exquisite woodwork, and luminous Tiffany stained-glass windows.

Health + Safety
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