Helmut Walcha
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Helmut Walcha was a German organist who was born on October 27, 1907 in Leipzig, Germany, and died on August 11, 1991 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He specialized in the organ works of the Dutch and German baroque organ masters, and is best known for his recordings of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, which set a new performance standard in their day.
Walcha had poor vision since childhood, and was fully blind by age sixteen. It is said that he learned new pieces by having another musician play it for him four times (each hand separately, the pedal part separately, and the complete piece). Having perfect pitch, he would memorize the piece while listening.
He would lecture on organ music and composition (illustrated by his own playing) at the music department of the University of Frankfurt. One other contribution to music scholarship is his attempted completion of the final (unfinished) fugue of The Art of Fugue.
Quote
"Bach opens a vista to the universe. After experiencing him, people feel there is meaning to life after all."
External link
- Online bio (http://my.dreamwiz.com/fischer/Walcha/walcha-e.htm)de:Helmut Walcha