Bradford Tracey

Bradford Tracey (born July 7, 1951 in Sydney / Nova Scotia , Canada , † September 17, 1987 in Freiburg ) was a German pianist and harpsichordist of Canadian descent.

Tracey studied historical keyboard instruments and figured bass first with Rolf Junghanns and ensemble playing with Hans-Martin Linde at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis . He later continued his studies privately with Fritz Neumeyer . Tracey became curator of the "Collection of historical keyboard instruments Fritz Neumeyer" in Bad Krozingen Castle and collected historical keyboard instruments herself. After the death of Fritz Neumeyer, the "Collection of Historical Keyboard Instruments Fritz Neumeyer" became the property of Tracey's friend and colleague Rolf Junghanns. He made numerous concert tours through Europe and America. His playing is well documented by numerous records. At the age of 28, he received a professorship at the Berlin University of the Arts in 1979 .

In 1985, Tracey and Junghanns rented a hall in Berlin-Friedenau , which he had converted into the Friedenau Chamber Music Hall . With a concert on April 7, 1986, he began the “Friedenau Chamber Concerts” with the Junghanns and musicians friends, which have continued to this day even after his early death.

Tracey performed as a soloist with harpsichord , fortepiano and clavichord , as a piano duo with Rolf Junghanns , as a song accompanist, as a soloist and conductor with well-known symphony orchestras, with ensembles for early music, and as a continuo player with well-known soloists from the early music scene.

Of his numerous sound recordings, the legendary recording of the Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by Bach should be emphasized, played on a replica of a harpsichord made by Christian Zell , Hamburg in 1728 by John Koster, Boston.

Web links

• The collection of historical keyboard instruments Fritz Neumeyer / Rolf Junghanns / Bradford Tracey