Michael Schäffer was a German lutenist born in Cologne on 11 November 1937 and died on 7 September 1978. He was the son of violinist Kurt Schäffer and studied violin and viola with his father at the Robert Schumann Hochschule before turning to guitar and then lute, majoring in lute at the Staatliche Musikhochschule in Cologne. He taught at the Bergische Musikschule in Wuppertal from 1963, joined the Institute for Early Music at the Rheinische Musikschule in 1966, and also taught at the Hochschule für Musik Köln.

Schäffer performed as soloist and chamber musician, becoming particularly associated with French Baroque lute repertory. He was a “pioneer” in the rediscovery of French Baroque lute works, concertising internationally as soloist and with chamber ensembles. He became known for using historical right-hand technique, including the “thumb-under” position, when many lutenists still used guitar-derived technique. His recordings of French Baroque lute music contributed to renewed interest in the repertory; his discography includes French Lute Music (Turnabout/Vox, 1968). His pupils included the English lutenist Nigel North.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sch%C3%A4ffer_(lutenist)
• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6834227