Kenneth Cooper

Harpsichord

Harpsichordist, pianist, musicologist and conductor Kenneth Cooper is one of the world's leading specialists in music of the 18th century, and one of America's most exciting and versatile performers. He is famous for his improvisations, which enable him to revive a long-forgotten 1 8th century art, lending extraordinary authenticity to his performances. As Music Director of the Berkshire Bach Ensemble, he has instituted a series of Concertofests, recreating the atmosphere of Zimmermann's Coffee- Haus, where Bach held his weekly concerts with his Collegium. Kenneth Cooper was the co-director of the legendary Our Bach Concerts, for years a Lincoln Center sell-out at midnight. He has been a soloist with the American Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Northwest Chamber Orchestra and Mostly Mozart Festival. He was the soloist in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 on Live From Lincoln Center with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society.

Among Kenneth Cooper's recordings are his J.S. Bach Harpsichord Recital - Musical Heritage label; the complete Gamba and Harpsichord Sonatas - CBS, with Yo Yo Ma; the complete Bach Flute and Harpsichord Sonatas - Vanguard, with Paula Robison and Timothy Eddy; and his about to be released Goldberg Variations - Classic Masters. His brilliant and inimitable improvisations may be heard on J.S. Bach - A Musical Celebration - Musical Heritage; his ragtime and other Americana can be heard on EMI-Angel's CD, Silk and Rags.

The possessor of a PhD in musicology from Columbia University, Kenneth Cooper is on the faculty there as well as the Manhattan School of Music.