Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Wendy Gillespie is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of early music. Born in 1959 in the United States, Gillespie grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer, so music was always a part of her life. Gillespie began playing the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, when she was 14 years old. She was immediately drawn to the instrument's unique sound and the rich history behind it. She went on to study music at Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in viola da gamba performance. After completing her undergraduate studies, Gillespie moved to Europe to further her education and pursue her career as a musician. She studied with some of the most renowned early music performers and teachers, including Wieland Kuijken and Jordi Savall. She also performed with several early music ensembles, including the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and the Hesperion XX ensemble. In 1985, Gillespie joined the faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she taught viola da gamba and early music performance for over 30 years. During her tenure at Indiana University, she also served as the director of the Early Music Institute, which she helped establish in 1980. Throughout her career, Gillespie has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and music festivals. She has collaborated with many of the leading early music ensembles, including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the Tallis Scholars. She has also recorded numerous albums, many of which have received critical acclaim. One of Gillespie's most notable performances was her solo recital at the 1990 Boston Early Music Festival. She performed a program of French Baroque music on the viola da gamba, which was met with rave reviews. The Boston Globe called her performance "a revelation," and praised her "impeccable technique and musicality." Gillespie has also been recognized for her contributions to the field of early music. In 2009, she was awarded the Thomas Binkley Award by Early Music America, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of early music. She was also named a Fellow of the American Musicological Society in 2015, in recognition of her scholarly work on early music. In addition to her work as a performer and teacher, Gillespie has also been active as a scholar and researcher. She has published numerous articles and book chapters on early music, and has edited several volumes of music for the viola da gamba. Her research has focused on the music of the French Baroque, and she has been instrumental in bringing this repertoire to a wider audience. Gillespie retired from Indiana University in 2018, but continues to perform and teach. She currently serves as the artistic director of the Viola da Gamba Society of America, and is a sought-after performer and teacher around the world. In conclusion, Wendy Gillespie is a highly respected and accomplished classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of early music. Her passion for the viola da gamba and her dedication to the music of the French Baroque have inspired countless musicians and scholars.

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