Norbert Kraft enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the most outstanding classical guitarists of his generation. He was the first North American to win the 1985 Segovia International Competition, held in Mallorca. He is a bestselling recording artist whose many award-winning recordings have received accolades in such publications as The New York Times, The Times, CD Review, Hi-Fidelity, Gramophone (‘Critic’s Choice’), and Classic CD (‘Favourite CD of the Year’). His Naxos recording of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez has been listed as the definitive recording of that work by Gramophone and Classic FM in ‘111 Greatest Works’.

Norbert Kraft has toured extensively as soloist and chamber musician, and has performed concertos with dozens of major orchestras, including the Boston Pops and Montreal Symphony. His concerts and recordings have won him widespread acclaim and he has given a number of Command Performances for dignitaries and heads of state, including two of Canada’s Prime Ministers. He was chosen to represent Canada at World Expos in Osaka, and in Seville.

An award-winning recording producer, Norbert Kraft has engineered and produced over 350 recordings, including orchestral, solo, operatic, choral, and chamber music, and serves as the artistic director of the Naxos Guitar Collection, the most extensive recording project of guitar repertoire ever undertaken. His productions have received four GRAMMY nominations, and one GRAMMY award.

He has served as professor at the University of Toronto and the Manhattan School of Music (New York), as well as conducting masterclasses throughout the world. He has compiled and edited many musical publications, including the extensively used Royal Conservatory Guitar Series.