Ruggero Gerlin (Harpsichord)

Born: January 5, 1899 - Venice, Italy
Died: June 17, 1983 - Paris, France

The Italian harpsichordist, Ruggero Gerlin, obtained the master diploma in piano performance from the Milan Conservatory. In 1920 he began to study harpsichord with Wanda Landowska in Paris. He continued to work with her until 1940, often as her concert partner in music for two keyboard instruments.

After returning to Italy in 1941, Ruggero Gerlin became professor of harpsichord at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples. In 1947 he established the annual summer master-classes at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. Huguette Dreyfus, Kenneth Gilbert and Blandine Verlet were among his students.

Ruggero Gerlin was active as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and made many recordings, most often performing on a Pleyel harpsichord. These recordings span a period of more than 50 years and include the first complete editions of solo works by François Couperin, Louis Couperin and Rameau. He also edited works by Grazioli, Alessandro Scarlatti and Benedetto Marcello for I Classici Musicali Italiani.

Source: János Sebestyen Website (March 2006)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2006)

Ruggero Gerlin: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental & Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

Ruggero Gerlin - Harpsichordist (János Sebestyen)