Jonathan Mark Dunsby[1] FRSA (born 16 March 1953) is a British classical pianist, musicologist, author and translator, particularly known for his research in musical analysis.
His introductory textbook, Music Analysis in Theory and Practice (1988), co-authored with Arnold Whittall, is a standard work in the field.
[2] He played in a duo with the violinist, Vanya Milanova,[2] and has also performed with the singer Yvonne Minton and the cellist Felix Schmidt.
[2] In the book, Dunsby uses his dual background as both musician and academic to elucidate practical and mental aspects of performance.
Instead Performing Music addresses two principal themes: musicians as problem-solvers interpreting the score, and the anxiety that Dunsby posits is inherent in performing, which he distinguishes from stage fright and which, in his opinion, forces players to turn to music theory – a recurrent topic throughout the book.