Byron Schenkman.Reclaims the gay heritage of classical music Described as the "Jimi Hendrix Noun 1. Jimi Hendrix - United States guitarist whose innovative style with electric guitars influenced the development of rock music (1942-1970) Hendrix, James Marshall Hendrix of the harpsichord harpsichord, stringed musical instrument played from a keyboard. Its strings, two or more to a note, are plucked by quills or jacks. The harpsichord originated in the 14th cent. and by the 16th cent. Venice was the center of its manufacture. ," Byron Schenkman pushes the limits in classical music. The keyboard wizard brings 300-year-old music into the 21st century with his vibrant interpretations. After only 11 years performing, the 34-year-old award-winning virtuoso has quickly risen to international prominence--rare for American harpsichordists Musicians who play the harpsichord are known as harpsichordists. This list includes post nineteenth-century harpsichordists. Notable earlier harpsichordists mostly appear on the list of Baroque composers. who don't move to Europe. As artistic director of his own orchestra, Seattle Baroque, he'll present its first summer festival this season. Offstage he's in the studio, having just recorded his 25th CD. Perhaps his "Queer Baroque" program--featuring the work of gay composers Handel, Corelli, and Lully--best achieves his aim of both entertainment and education within music's social context. "The fact that I'm gay isn't remarkable," says Schenkman, adding that Wanda Landowska, the 20th century's premier harpsichordist harp·si·chord n. A keyboard instrument whose strings are plucked by means of quills or plectrums. [Alteration of obsolete French harpechorde, from Italian arpicordo : arpa, , was a lesbian. "Lots of people are gay in the field--but very few are out." That surprises him. "Being Jewish and gay are integral parts of who I am. I don't think of myself as an in-your-face kind of person," says Schenkman. "But if I'm closeted clos·et·ed adj. Being In a state of secrecy or cautious privacy. , how expressive can I be?" |
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