Elaine Comparone is an American
harpsichordist
A harpsichordist is a person who plays the harpsichord. Harpsichordists may play as soloists, as accompanists, as chamber musicians, or as members of an orchestra, or some combination of these roles. Solo harpsichordists may play unaccompanied son ...
. Born in 1943, in Lawrence Massachusetts, she is known for playing in a standing position before a specially adapted
Dowd
Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced ), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fi ...
instrument.
Background
Born into a family of musicians in
, Comparone began playing piano at aged four, while studying other instruments during childhood. However, while attending
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is a Private university, private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1948 as a nonsectarian, non-sectarian, coeducational institution sponsored by the Jews, Jewish community, Brandeis was established on t ...
she began to learn the harpsichord and, subsequently, was awarded a
Fulbright Fellowship
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States Cultural Exchange Programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people of ...
to study under
Isolde Ahlgrimm at the
Vienna Academy
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (german: link=no, Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien) is a public art school in Vienna, Austria.
History
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna was founded in 1692 as a private academy modelled on the Accademia di S ...
.
Comparone made her recital debut as a
Concert Artists Guild The Concert Artists Guild is an American musical institution, based in New York City and established in 1951. It is dedicated to discovering and nurturing musical talent, and helping musicians start careers. It provides scholarships and grants, and ...
award winner in New York, in 1970,
and has since been the recipient of Solo Recitalist and Recording Grants from the
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federa ...
.
As founding director of
Harpsichord Unlimited
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 ...
, a non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating interest in the harpsichord and teaching audiences about the instrument, its history, and its music, she has directed and performed an annual series of concerts.
References
Elaine Comparone in 1974Elaine Comparone in 1980Elaine Comparone In 1974Elaine Comparone in 1997Elaine Comparone in 1975Elaine Comparone in 1983Linda Comparone in 1979
External links
Picture of Elaine Comparone 2019.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comparone, Elaine
American harpsichordists
Living people
People from Lawrence, Massachusetts
Musicians from Massachusetts
Women harpsichordists
1943 births