Byron Schenkman (born 1966) is an American harpsichordist, pianist, music director, and educator. Schenkman has recorded over 40 CDs and has won several awards and accolades. He co-founded the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, and was its artistic director. Schenkman currently directs a baroque and classical chamber music concert series, Byron Schenkman & Friends, and performs as a recitalist and concert soloist. He also performs with chamber music ensembles, and is a teacher and lecturer.

Early years

Schenkman grew up in a musical family on a farm in Lafayette, Indiana. He graduated from the

New England Conservatory The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The conservatory is located on Hu ...

, where he was a student of John Gibbons. He studied with Elisabeth Wright and

Edward Auer Edward Auer (born December 7, 1941 in New York City) is an American classical pianist. In 1965, he became the first American to win a prize in the VII International Chopin Piano Competition. Due to his frequent and subsequent touring in Poland, M ...

at the

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, is a music conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University School of Music. It has more than 1,500 students, approximately half of whom ar ...

, and earned a Master of Music degree with Honors in Performance. In 1990 he earned a Performer's Certificate in Harpsichord from Indiana University School of Music. In 1991 Schenkman was a finalist in the Cambridge Society for Early Music's International Mozart Competition.

Career

At first Schenkman played

harpsichord A harpsichord ( it, clavicembalo; french: clavecin; german: Cembalo; es, clavecín; pt, cravo; nl, klavecimbel; pl, klawesyn) is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. This activates a row of levers that turn a trigger mechanism ...

and

fortepiano A fortepiano , sometimes referred to as a pianoforte, is an early piano. In principle, the word "fortepiano" can designate any piano dating from the invention of the instrument by Bartolomeo Cristofori in 1698 up to the early 19th century. Mo ...

. He has recorded dozens of albums, and has made solo and concerto appearances in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In 1999 he won the Cambridge Society for Early Music's Erwin Bodky Award, given "for outstanding achievement in the field of early music". In 2003 Schenkman's recording with Musica Pacifica, ''Telemann: Chamber Cantatas & Trio Sonatas'', won the Chamber Music America/WQXR Record Award. In 2004 Schenkman was awarded a

Partners of the Americas Partners of the Americas was inspired by President of the United States John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician ...

travel grant which enabled him to perform and teach in Chile. In 2006 Schenkman was voted "Best Classical Instrumentalist" by the readers of the ''

Seattle Weekly The ''Seattle Weekly'' is an alternative biweekly distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as ''The Weekly.'' Its first issue was published on March 31, 1976. The newspaper ...

'' newspaper. In 2007 he was featured in the ''Seattle Magazine'' Music Portfolio of Seattle's Defining Musicians as a Key Player saying that "He makes 300-year-old music sound fresh." Schenkman has worked with

baroque violin A Baroque violin is a violin set up in the manner of the baroque period of music. The term includes original instruments which have survived unmodified since the Baroque period, as well as later instruments adjusted to the baroque setup, and moder ...

ist Ingrid Matthews. In 1994 they co-founded Seattle Baroque Orchestra, where Schenkman was artistic director from 1994 through 2004, and co-director from 2010 to 2013. In 2014 Schenkman and Matthews received the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music ''Entrepreneur of the Month'' award. He also performs with various chamber ensembles and tours internationally with his contemporaries. He performs as a guest artist with chamber music ensembles in North America. His live performances at the Boston Early Music Festival have been compared with those of Vladimir Horowitz and Jimi Hendrix. He was reviewed in ''

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...

'' as "a superb and imaginative instrumentalist". Schenkman gave his first recital on modern piano at Town Hall, Seattle, in 2001, and has since been active performing and recording on modern piano and harpsichord. His New York recital debut playing modern piano was in 2009. Schenkman's playing has been described as "dazzling" in ''

American Record Guide The ''American Record Guide'' (''ARG'') is a classical music magazine. It has reviewed classical music recordings since 1935. History and profile The magazine was founded by Peter Hugh Reed in May 1935 as the ''American Music Lover''. It chang ...

'', and listed in the ''

Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...

'' as a favorite recording of 2000, for "stylish, invigorating performances". He released ''The Art of the Harpsichord'' in 2017 to critical acclaim, featuring eight different historical harpsichords from the

National Music Museum The National Music Museum: America's Shrine to Music & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments (NMM) is a musical instrument museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States. It was founded in 1973 on the campus of the University ...

. In 2013, Schenkman formed Byron Schenkman & Friends. In 2017 Schenkman created a new recording label named Byron Schenkman & Friends. In 2018 the recording label name was changed to BS&F Recordings. On March 26, 2023 Schenkman performed the world premiere of a concerto for harpsichord and strings composed by

Caroline Shaw Caroline Adelaide Shaw (born August 1, 1982) is an American composer, violinist, and singer. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013 for her a cappella piece ''Partita for 8 Voices'' and the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary ...

on a commission to mark the 10th season of Byron Schenkman & Friends. Schenkman teaches music history at

Seattle University Seattle University (SeattleU) is a private Jesuit university in Seattle, Washington. Seattle University is the largest independent university in the Northwestern United States, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate prog ...

, where he is a member of the Fine Arts Faculty in the

College of Arts and Sciences A College of Arts and Sciences or School of Arts and Sciences is most commonly an individual institution or a unit within a university that focuses on instruction of the liberal arts and pure sciences, although they frequently include programs and ...

. He was a member of the Early Music Faculty at

Cornish College of the Arts Cornish College of the Arts (CCA) is a private art college in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1914. History Cornish College of the Arts was founded in 1914 as the Cornish School of Music, by Nellie Cornish (1876–1956), a teacher of pi ...

in Seattle, where he taught harpsichord, piano, and music history from 2005 to 2017. In 2012 Schenkman was visiting instructor of fortepiano and harpsichord at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Schenkman gives master classes on 18th-century performance, informal lecture-recitals, and pre-concert talks. He also teaches harpsichord master classes, serves artistic residencies, and teaches music history at music festivals and universities. Schenkman is a frequent guest on radio station 98.1, Classical

KING-FM KING-FM (98.1 MHz; "Classical King FM") is a non-commercial classical music radio station in Seattle, Washington. It is owned by Classic Radio, a nonprofit organization. The studios and offices are on Mercer St in Seattle. KING-FM holds period ...

. His principal harpsichord was built by Craig Tomlinson in 2013.

Discography

Solo recordings

* ''Johann Kaspar Kerll: Keyboard Suites & Toccata'' – FOCUS, 1996 ASIN: B000004A7B * ''The Bauyn Manuscript: 17th-century French Harpsichord Music'' – WILDBOAR LBR 9603 1996 * ''Jean-Henry D' Anglebert'' –

Centaur Records Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded by Victor Sachse in 1976. Centaur's catalog includes classical, historical, pops, contemp ...

, 1997 RC 2435* ''George Frideric Handel: Harpsichord Variations'' –

, 1997 RC 2436* ''Louis Couperin: Harpsichord Music'' –

, 2001 RC 2608* ''The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book'' – with Maxine Eilander, harp,

, 2001 RC 2638* ''Jacques Duphly: Second Livre de Pieces de Clavecin'' –

, 2002 RC 2714* ''Joseph Haydn: Sonatas for the Harpsichord'' –

, 2002 RC 2733* ''Joseph Haydn: Six Sonatas and an Adagio'' with Katie Wolfe, violin, –

, 2005 RC 2733 RC 2806* ''Muzio Clementi'' –

, 2009 RC 3078* ''The Art of the Harpsichord'' – Byron Schenkman & Friends, 2017 ASIN: B074CPHTTY * ''Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti'' - BS&F Recordings, 2018 ASIN: B07DP5Y3GS

Collaborative recordings

* ''Joseph Bodin de Boismortier: Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord, Op. 91'' – American Baroque, Stephen Schultz, baroque flute; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord,

Naxos Records Naxos comprises numerous companies, divisions, imprints, and labels specializing in classical music but also audiobooks and other genres. The premier label is Naxos Records which focuses on classical music. Naxos Musical Group encompasses about 1 ...

atalogue No. 8.553414 1995 * ''Mozart in Mannheim'' – Zephyrus ensemble; Courtney Westcott, flute; Ingrid Matthews, violin; Shelley Taylor, cello; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord and fortepiano; Dana Maiben, viola; FOCUS 945 1995 * ''in Stil Moderno'' – Ingrid Matthews, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, WILDBOAR LBR 9512 1995 * ''Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre: Sonates pour le Viollon 1707'' – Ingrid Matthews, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba, WILDBOAR LBR 9601 1995 * ''Jean-Fery Rebel: Sonatas pour le Violin'' – Ingrid Matthews, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba, WILDBOAR LBR 9602 1995 * ''Georg Frideric Handel: Tra Le Fiamme'' – Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Ellen Hargis, soprano, WILDBOAR LBR 9604 1996 * ''Andrea Falconieri'' – Ingrid Matthews & Scott Metcalf, violins; Emily Walhout, viola da gamba; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, WILDBOAR LBR 9605 1996 * ''Marin Marais: Suites en Trio, Pieces de Violes, 4th Livre'' – Music's Re-Creation, Byron Schenkman, harpsichord,

RC2334 1997 * ''Marin Marais: Pieces en Trio'' – Musica Pacifica,

Virgin Veritas Virgin Veritas is an imprint of French classical music record label Virgin Classics dedicated to early music and historically informed performance. The parent was formerly owned by Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by U ...

DMB 7243 : 1997 * ''J.S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos'' – Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Ingrid Matthews, violin,

RC 2497 1998 * ''Il Giardino Corrupto'' – Scott Metcalfe & Ingrid Matthews, baroque violins; Emily Walhout, viola da gamba; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, WILDBOAR LBR 9903 1999 * ''Antonio Vivaldi: Bassoon Concertos'' – Ingrid Matthews, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Michael McCraw, bassoon,

538 Year 538 ( DXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Iohannes without colleague (or, less frequently, year 1291 '' Ab ...

1999 * ''Canzoni da Sonar'' – Ingrid Matthews, baroque violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord,

RC 2529 : March 2000 * ''Francesco Guerini: Cello Sonatas'' – Sarah Freiberg, baroque cello; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord and fortepiano,

534 2000 * ''Alessandro Scarlatti: Concerti Da Camera'' – Musica Pacifica, Judith Linsenberg, recorders, Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin, Ingrid Matthews, violin; George Thomson, viola; Claire Garabedian, cello; Michael Eagan, flute; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, DORIAN OR 93192 Release date: 01/11/2000 * ''Sprezzatura: Virtuoso Music of 17th Century Italy'' – Ensemble: La Luna, Ingrid Matthews & Scott Metcalf, violins; Emily Walhout, viola da gamba; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, DORIAN (DOR #93200) 2001 * ''Georg Philipp Telemann: Chamber Cantatas & Trio Sonatas'' – Musica Pacifica ensemble, Judith Linsenberg, recorder; Christine Brandes, Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord, DORIAN OR-93239 2001 * ''Heinrich Biber: Sonatas for Strings'' – Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Ingrid Matthews, violin; David Greenberg, violin,

CRC 2615 2001 * ''Alessandro Scarlatti: Agar et Ismaele Esiliati he Exile of Hagar and Ishmael' – Ingrid Matthews, violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; with Karina Gauvin, Nathaniel Watson, Melissa Fogarty, Jennifer Lane,

CRC 2664 Recorded: November 2001 * ''Music of J.S. Bach: Sonata in D Major, BWV 1028'' – Emily Walhout, viola da gamba; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord,

RC 2715 2002 * ''J.C. Bach: Sonatas for Fortepiano and Flute'' – Byron Schenkman, fortepiano; Courtney Westcott, flute; LOFT Recordings RCD 1045 2003 * ''Wind and Wire: Music of 18th Century Scotland'' – Chris Norman, Baroque Flutes; Byron Schenkman, Harpsichord, Boxwood Media (824594005223) OX 903 2003 * ''The Pachelbel Canon and other Baroque Favorites'' – Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Ingrid Matthews, violin, LOFT Recordings RCD 1019 2003 * ''J. S. Bach: Six Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord'' – Ingrid Matthews, baroque violin; Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Independent Release, 2007, ASIN: B00125WBUY, 2-CD set * ''Mozart: Piano Trios'' – Byron Schenkman, piano; Gabriela Diaz, violin; Alexei Yupanqui Gonzales, cello,

RC 3031 2008 * ''Russian Dreams'' – Byron Schenkman, piano; Masha Lankovsky, violin,

RC 33522014 * ''Vivaldi: Chamber Works'' – Byron Schenkman, harpsichord; Ingrid Matthews, violin; Nathan Whittaker, cello; John Lenti, theorbo; Tekla Cunningham, violin,

RC 33072014 * ''Beethoven alla Britannia'' – Byron Schenkman, piano; Ingrid Matthews, violin; Nathan Whittaker, cello; Linda Tsatsanis, soprano,

RC 34972016 * ''Britten and Pears: The Canticles'' - Byron Schenkman, piano; Zach Finkelstein, tenor; Vicki St. Pierre, contralto; Alexander Hajek, baritone; Jeffrey Fair, horn; Valerie Muzzolini Gordon, harp, Scribe Records, RCD92017 * ''Chamber Music of Clara Schumann'' - Byron Schenkman, piano; Jesse Irons, violin; Kate Bennett Wadsworth, cello, BS&F Recordings (888295931601), 2019

Albums available as MP3 download only

* ''Meditation: Baroque Music for Relaxation'' – Various Artists,

, 2010 * ''The J.S. Bach Exercise Album'' – Various Artists,

, 2013

References

External links

Official website

'Ep. 66: Byron Schenkman, harpsichordist, pianist and music director'
Interview by Tigran Arakelyan {{DEFAULTSORT:Schenkman, Byron American harpsichordists Fortepianists American classical pianists Male classical pianists American male pianists Musicians from Seattle 1966 births Living people Cornish College of the Arts faculty American performers of early music Founders of early music ensembles Baroque musicians American music educators Music directors 20th-century American pianists 21st-century classical pianists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians 21st-century American pianists Centaur Records artists Naxos Records artists