Birth

:

February 9, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

December 24, 2005

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Constance Keene was a renowned classical pianist who was born on January 5, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of a music teacher and began playing the piano at the age of three. Her mother recognized her talent and began teaching her at home. By the age of six, Keene was already performing in public. Keene's talent was recognized by the renowned pianist Josef Hofmann, who invited her to study with him at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She was only nine years old at the time. Keene studied with Hofmann for six years and then continued her studies with Olga Samaroff at the Juilliard School in New York. Keene made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 16, playing the Grieg Piano Concerto. She went on to perform with many other major orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Keene was known for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Brahms. She was particularly admired for her performances of Chopin's music, which she played with great sensitivity and nuance. Keene was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by many composers, including Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland. In addition to her performing career, Keene was a respected teacher. She taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Aspen Music Festival. Her students included many successful pianists, including Jeffrey Biegel, Sara Davis Buechner, and Jeffrey Swann. Keene received many awards and honors throughout her career. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. She was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Keene continued to perform and teach until her death on February 24, 2005, at the age of 84. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of her generation and a beloved teacher who inspired generations of young musicians.

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