Gustav Leonhardt, last recital

December 14, 2011 8:55 AM

On December 12, 2011, world-famous harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt played what appears to be the last recital of his sixty-one years long career in the Théâtre des Bouffes in Paris. Clips from the concert were uploaded on youtube yesterday. Suitable for the sad event, a melancholic Prélude by d'Anglebert first.

And a few pieces by the French mid-18th c. composer Jacques Duphly, some more, some less lighthearted.

posted by Namlit (9 comments total)

Lovely and worth listening too. He's a fabulously gifted musician.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:56 AM on December 14, 2011

On review: "last" as in "final"...
posted by Namlit at 11:11 AM on December 14, 2011

Saw him play in my home town in the late 80's. I had no idea he was still performing. What a great man.
posted by surrendering monkey at 11:40 AM on December 14, 2011

His interpretation of Bach's French Suites pegged needles I didn't even know I had.
posted by jamjam at 12:26 PM on December 14, 2011

I'm finding an upload from the time of his highest brilliancy, his own transcription of the famous "Chaconne" by J.S. Bach (transposed from d minor to g minor for reasons of keyboard compass). Here.
I once heard his lecture about this transcription at a summer course.
posted by Namlit at 12:31 PM on December 14, 2011

He is the father of period musical style playing.
posted by Meatafoecure at 7:57 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]

I registered here at Metafilter just to post this link, which is quite possibly one of the most exciting organ performances I have ever seen: Leonhardt playing a Buxtehude prelude.
posted by high5ths at 9:53 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]

Grrrr, that is apparently only the first 2 minutes of the most exciting organ performance in the world. Sigh, it appears it has disappeared into the ether of Youtube. :( Sorry, everybody.
posted by high5ths at 10:03 PM on December 14, 2011

Very nice, thanks.
posted by klausness at 6:28 AM on December 16, 2011