George Malcolm (musician)

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George Malcolm (28 February, 1917–10 October, 1997) was a pioneering harpsichordist, introducing many people to this instrument through his records and live performances. Like Wanda Landowska, he favoured rather large harpsichords which now are seen as inauthentic for Baroque music, although the instruments he used were more authentic than hers. However, while aspects of his performances may seem outdated, his influence is gratefully acknowledged by a number of today's musicians, e.g. Andras Schiff.

Malcolm was a versatile musician. His first instrument was the piano, and his first teacher a nun, who recognising his talent recommended him to the Royal College of Music. Malcolm seems to have left posterity no sound recordings as a pianist, but he made more impact as an organist, choir-trainer and conductor, and for some years was organist of Westminster Cathedral, where he developed the choir's "continental" sound which contrasts with that of Anglican choirs.

External Links

• [Interview from The Harpsichord Magazine]
• [Biography from the website of Ian Partridge]

 

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