Ralph Kirkpatrick

Ralph Kirkpatrick (June 10, 1911–April 13, 1984) was a musician, musicologist and harpsichordist, born in Leominster, Massachusetts.

Related Topics:
June 10 - 1911 - April 13 - 1984 - Leominster, Massachusetts

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He studied music notation and piano at the Harvard University and went on to further studies with Nadia Boulanger and harpsichord revival pioneer Wanda Landowska in Paris, as well as Arnold Dolmetsch in Haslemere, Heinz Tiessen in Berlin and Günther Ramin in Leipzig. From 1933 to 1934, he taught at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. A Guggenheim Scholarship enabled him to study in Europe.

Related Topics:
Harvard University - Nadia Boulanger - Wanda Landowska - Paris - Arnold Dolmetsch - Haslemere - Heinz Tiessen - Berlin - Günther Ramin - Leipzig - Mozarteum - Salzburg - Austria

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From 1940 he was a professor at Yale University, where he published his biography of Domenico Scarlatti and a critical edition of Scarlatti's complete works. These are now conventionally designated by their "Kirkpatrick numbers" (see opus number).

Related Topics:
Yale University - Domenico Scarlatti - Opus number

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Kirkpatrick also played modern music, including Quincy Porter's Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra, Darius Milhaud's Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord, and the Double Concerto for Harpsichord, Piano and Chamber Orchestra by Elliott Carter, which was dedicated to him.

Related Topics:
Quincy Porter's - Darius Milhaud's - Elliott Carter

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As a performer and recording artist, he became best known for his harpsichord performances of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti. He also recorded on the clavichord (e.g. Bach's two- and three-part inventions) and on the fortepiano (especially works by Mozart).

Related Topics:
Harpsichord - Johann Sebastian Bach - Domenico Scarlatti - Clavichord - Fortepiano - Mozart

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Ralph Kirkpatrick died in Guilford, Connecticut at the age of 72.

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