Barthold Kuijken, a Flemish native of Belgium (b. 1949), is an eminent leader in the field of Early Music. While still being a student on the modern flute, he found  an original mid-18th century one-keyed flute that became his best teacher ever. As an autodidact, he let himself be taught by 17th-18th century instruments and theoretical and practical sources. A virtuoso traverso (and recorder) soloist, teacher, researcher, and conductor, he has shaped the fields of historical flutes and Historically Informed Performance over the last 40 years. His book, The Notation Is Not the Music – Reflections on Early Music Practice and Performance  (Indiana University Press, 2013) is an artful summary of his research, ideas, and reflections on music.

Besides his legendary performances and acclaimed recordings of the flute repertoire between Baroque and Debussy with his brothers Sigiswald (violin) and Wieland (cello and gamba), he has collaborated with other early music specialists such as Gustav Leonhardt, Robert Kohnen, Bob van Asperen and Ewald Demeyere (harpsichord), Paul Dombrecht (oboe), Piet Kuijken (fortepiano).  Barthold Kuijken has played and recorded with the baroque orchestras Collegium Aureum and La petite Bande, and with the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, whose Artistic Director and conductor he is.

In 2014 he retired as Professor of Baroque Flute at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and The Hague where he had been teaching since 1976, resp. 1977. He continues performing and recording all over Europe, USA, and Japan. He is also frequently asked to act as a juror in competitions and to give masterclasses and lectures. In 2007 he was the first musician in Belgium to receive a PhD in the arts. In 2013, he received the NFA Lifetime Achievement Award (USA).