Birth

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October 14, 1931 in Bogotá, Colombia

Death

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March 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Genre

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Rafael Puyana was a renowned harpsichordist and musicologist who was born on December 14, 1931, in Bogotá, Colombia. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father, Guillermo Puyana, was a composer and pianist, and his mother, Ana Mercedes Hoyos, was a singer and pianist. Rafael's siblings, Guillermo and Ana Mercedes, were also musicians. Rafael Puyana began his musical studies at the age of five, learning to play the piano with his mother. He later studied with his father and with the Colombian pianist Blanca Uribe. At the age of 14, he discovered the harpsichord and became fascinated with its sound and history. He began studying the instrument with the Colombian harpsichordist and musicologist Alberto Grau, who introduced him to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1950, Rafael Puyana traveled to Europe to continue his musical studies. He studied with the French harpsichordist and musicologist Wanda Landowska, who was one of the pioneers of the harpsichord revival in the 20th century. Landowska was impressed with Puyana's talent and invited him to perform with her in concerts and recordings. Puyana also studied with the Dutch harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, who was another leading figure in the harpsichord revival. In 1955, Rafael Puyana made his debut as a soloist in Paris, performing a recital of Bach's music on the harpsichord. The concert was a great success, and Puyana was praised for his virtuosity and musicality. He soon became one of the leading harpsichordists of his generation, performing in concerts and recordings all over the world. Rafael Puyana was known for his elegant and refined playing style, which emphasized the beauty and clarity of the harpsichord's sound. He was also a scholar of early music, and he devoted much of his career to researching and performing the music of the Baroque era. He was particularly interested in the music of Bach, and he recorded several albums of his works, including the Goldberg Variations, the French Suites, and the Partitas. In addition to his solo career, Rafael Puyana was also a member of several ensembles, including the Ensemble Baroque de Paris and the Academy of Ancient Music. He collaborated with many other musicians, including the violinist Henryk Szeryng, the cellist Pierre Fournier, and the conductor Neville Marriner. Throughout his career, Rafael Puyana received many awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1976, he was awarded the Order of Boyacá, one of the highest honors in Colombia, for his achievements as a musician and cultural ambassador. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1985 and the Spanish Order of Arts and Letters in 1991. Rafael Puyana continued to perform and record music until his death on March 1, 2013, at the age of 81. He left behind a legacy of beautiful and inspiring music, as well as a deep appreciation for the history and culture of the Baroque era. His contributions to the harpsichord revival and the study of early music will be remembered for generations to come.

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