© Tilman Skowroneck 2012
It is a sad occasion that makes me resume the writing of blog posts: yesterday morning the news reached me that Gustav Leonhardt has passed away on 16 January in his Amsterdam home.
Gustav Leonhardt walking the streets of Vienna. Photo by Ibo Ortgies, October 22, 2011
As I wrote elsewhere, I remember Gustav Leonhardt as a lifelong friend and mentor. Lifelong, because our first encounter happened at a time that I do not even remember. I am told that I was two years old; friend, because that’s what he was to me: always kind, inquiring, never brusque, and on many occasions more than ready to share not only musical, but also completely unmusical experiences such as a new movie, a book with high-end photos of Bugatti cars, a (slow, one may add) sightseeing drive through the summery back country of Siena, Tuscany, or the offerings of one or another new Amsterdam restaurant; mentor, finally, because since the first time I touched a keyboard (with higher aims than a plinking or plunking agenda, which was at the age of five and a half) Gustav Leonhardt’s musicianship has been a continuous source of inspiration for me. When I finally was in the position to take lessons at his house in Amsterdam, he spent considerable time and effort to critically assess my playing (quite in contrast to his generally complimentary style at masterclasses), from which I benefit every day even today, and for which I am eternally grateful.
The impact of this shift in the world of historical performance practice will be great. No matter whether in accordance or in opposition, there will be few harpsichordists today whose playing is not, in one way or another, influenced by Leonhardt’s approach. Now, all of a sudden, we’re on our own. The impact on the world of his closer friends and colleagues is immense. His unique wit, brilliancy and warmth will be missed at every moment to come.
My thoughts are with his wife Marie Leonhardt, his family, and his friends.
The New York Times Obituary is available under this link.
Tilman Skowroneck 
January 18, 2012 at 1:40 pm |
Mooi!
January 21, 2012 at 5:33 am |
Thank you for this wonderful tribute, Tilman. We are indeed fortunate that he has left us with such an extensive legacy. May his memory be eternal.
April 26, 2012 at 4:49 pm |
Hi, If I may, G. Leonhardt last recital can be listened to here:
thank you for this post
April 26, 2012 at 5:16 pm |
Thanks for your comment, pratiquepiano. There has a discussion been going on among Leonhardt’s colleagues and friends about whether these recordings were at all authorized. Friends (including myself) tend to believe that they were not, since GL did not usually allow live recordings. You don’t happen to know more about this?