David Tanenbaum has performed in over 40 countries, and has appeared as a soloist with prominent orchestras around the world alongside eminent conductors including Esa-Pekka Salonen, John Adams, Alan Gilbert and Kent Nagano.
While Tanenbaum’s repertoire encompasses a wide diversity of musical styles, he is recognised as one of the most eloquent proponents of contemporary guitar repertoire. Composers such as Hans Werner Henze, Aaron Jay Kernis, Terry Riley, Lou Harrison and Roberto Sierra have dedicated works to him.
He has toured extensively with Steve Reich and Musicians, and performed in Japan in 1991 at the invitation of Tōru Takemitsu.
Tanenbaum’s three dozen recordings can be heard on EMI, New Albion, Naxos and other labels. His Nonesuch recording as a soloist in John Adam’s Naive and Sentimental Music with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic was nominated for a 2002 GRAMMY Award.
Tanenbaum is currently chair of the guitar department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he received the 1995 Outstanding Professor Award.