Hédi Salánki

Harpsichordist HÉDI SALÁNKI

Harpsichordist HÉDI SALÁNKI was born in Szerencs, Hungary. She earned degrees and diplomas in piano performance and as a music teacher from the Liszt Academy and Bartók Conservatory in Hungary. For years she was the musical program director and editor with the Hungarian Radio and Television.

In 1983 Salánki came to the United States to continue her education as a performing artist. She earned a Masters Degree in Harpsichord Performance from Rutgers University and a Doctorate from Juilliard School, New York. She has been performing widely in Europe and the United States. As a chamber musician and continuo player, as well as recitalist, she has performed with the New Jersey Symphony, I Solisti New York, the New York Chamber Orchestra and numerous Baroque chamber ensembles.

Ms. Salánki’s many recordings on the Pantheon and Price-less labels are featured frequently by major classical music stations in the USA and Europe. Her compact disc recordings include many significant works of Bach, Bach’s “Goldberg Variations”, Scarlatti Sonatas, Teleman Overtures, a French Baroque program, and the rags of Scott Joplin.

After many years of studying, she married conductor Peter Rubardt, with whom she studied at Juilliard. Mr. Rubardt is the conductor of New Jersey Symphony and music director of Rutgers University. In the Fall, the Family – they have a little son – will move to Syracuse, New York because Mr. Rubardt will be with the Syracuse Symphony.

Hédi Salánki is performing on a double manual harpsichord built in the French tradition. This rare instrument was the forerunner of the piano, but contrary to the piano the metal strings are plucked mechanically by means of a keyboard mechanism. It flourished mainly from the 16th to 18th centuries and was an important instrument of the Baroque music style. However even today, composers enjoy writing music for this instrument.

Kerkay Emese (1993)

American Hungarian Museum, No. 19, 1993