Gustav Leonhardt R.I.P.

[Mandryka]

http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/culture/20111213.OBS6572/gustav-leonhardt-met-fin-a-sa-carriere.html

The link will take you to a report in Nouvel Obs saying that he gave his final concert yesterday, in Paris. I knew this concert was happening and nearly went, but there was a concert in London last night which won out (Ebene Quartet.)

The report says he's too ill continue with any further engagements, and that he looked weak and thin. The concert was packed, with people even sitting on cushions on the floor. Many very important harpsichordists were there to see him.

The concert hall was wild when they called for an encore, and he managed to give one. When he came on for the encore he stamped his foot, partly though enthusiasm and partly because he wanted to release some of the tension that had mounted. For the encore he played the 25th Goldberg Variation. But by this time he was obviously worn out and he had some difficulty getting to the end.

He let the last note of the variation sound a little bit longer than normal. Then, walking unsteady , he left the splendid Antony Sidey harpsichord, which his fingers will never sound again.

To let him make a more rapid exit, without being bothered by the public,  the management of the Bouffes du Nord Theatre barred the auditorium exit closed for a few minutes after the end of the concert. Trapped inside, the audience invaded the stage.  There was no official announcement: no one was supposed to know that this was his last recital. But more and more people are talking about it.

[val]

I am sad knowing he gave his last concert. To me he was one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century, one of the most authentic.

[Mandryka]

From the last concert http://www.youtube.com/v/IbrTO45JdNY

[prémont]

Well, it is a pity that he is retiring, but this might have been expected to happen in the foreseeable future. I think it is more saddening to hear, that he is ill.

[Opus106]

From the last concert http://www.youtube.com/v/IbrTO45JdNY

Thanks for posting this.

[Marc]

The man deserves a statue.

[Marc]

Yes, that size perfectly fits his modest personality. 0:)

[Mandryka]

Since I enjoy so much his early recordings -- I'm thinking of AoF and Goldbergs, I certainly would like to hear some more. What else is there from the mid 50s to the mid 60s?  There's np  discography on line that I can see except for the Bach one on the Bach cantatas website.

One 1970s record which I very much like is the Scarlatti. HE seems to me to strike just the right note -- never too much on the side of bravura, never too much on the side of introspection.

Having said that  K490 -- a chestnut if there ever was one -- is given such a personal and internal performance that's it's like you're hearing the music for the first time. That K490 is I think one of the most interesting Scarlatti performances I've ever heard.

Remarkable also the contrasting style he adopts in K492.

[Mandryka]

He passed away today ages 83. RIP.

[Antoine Marchand]

He passed away today ages 83. RIP.

What a sad news. May he rest in peace.

I don't have words to summarize his immense legacy to the Ancient Music.

[Josquin des Prez]

He passed away today ages 83. RIP.

[Opus106]

He passed away today ages 83. RIP.

He will be missed, surely.

The only English obit. I was able to find: http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/harpsichordist-and-conductor-gustav-leonhardt-has-died

[Que]

Sad news. He worked and performed almost up untill his last days - such dedication!



Gustav Leonhart in 2009, receiving from HM Queen Beatrix the Medal of Honour for the Arts and Sciences in the Order of the House of Orange.

Q

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Gustav Leonhardt died at 83!

[springrite]

Sorry to hear that. He will be missed. R.I.P.

[jlaurson]

Gustav Leonhardt Plays On

Keyboardist, Baroque Master Gustav Leonhardt Dies at 83
Dirigent Gustav Leonhardt gestorben

http://www.youtube.com/v/kk4WVN-48Hc

[Marc]

The man deserves a statue.

Rest in peace.

[prémont]

He passed away today ages 83. RIP.

Sad, but not unexpected news. He looks very ill on the You tube clip from Paris.
May he RIP. 

[jlaurson]

Gustav Leonhardt Plays On... (1928 - 2012)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/01/gustav-leonhardt-plays-on-1928-2012.html

[JaapT]

A bit sad that Leonhardt passed away. I attended several of his concerts, the last one of him directing Bach cantatas in the Nether lands. His last concert was last month in Paris. On youtube you can find bootleg recordings of that concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUy0VJfD_o8