David Cates, American Harpsichordist

David Cates is an American harpsichordist, concentrating on the music of J.S. Bach, Scarlatti, Haydn, and the English virginalists. His solo recordings on the Wildboar and Music & Arts labels of J.S. Bach and Johann Jacob Froberger have been met with widespread critical acclaim. The Classical Music Listener's Companion calls him one of the 20 most important harpsichordists available on recordings today; "an unusual interpreter" and an "outstanding talent". His recording of Bach’s French Suites won several recording of the year awards, including one from MusicWeb International. Based in Northern California, he performs both internationally and within the U.S.
Originally from New York, Cates studied piano, counterpoint, and music theory at the University of Chicago with Easley Blackwood and piano in New York with Jacob Lateiner. He has performed music of Charles Ives, Messiaen, Debussy, John Cage, Schubert and others, as well as leading a modern jazz improvisation ensemble. He began playing the harpsichord in 1990; though largely self-taught on the harpsichord he has studied privately with Skip Sempe, Edward Parmentier, and Roger Goodman.