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The Hungarian born American harpsichordist, Hédi Salánki, 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 Hédi Salánki came to the USA 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 USA. As a chamber musician and continuo player, as well as recitalist, she has performed with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, I Solisti New York, the New York Chamber Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, the Pensacola Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, and numerous chamber ensembles.
After many years of studying, she married conductor Peter Rubardt, with whom she studied at Juilliard. Peter Rubardt is the conductor of New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and music director of Rutgers University. In 1993 (?) the family moved to Syracuse, New York because Peter Rubardt was with the Syracuse Symphony. From 1994 to 1998 Ms. Salanki served as founding Artistic Director of the Four Seasons Baroque Ensemble, garnering critical acclaim for artistic excellence and innovative programming.
Hedi Salanki is Associate Professor of Music at the University of West Florida, where she teaches piano performance, harpsichord performance, keyboard interpretation, ear training (Kodaly-method solfege), musical structure and style, counterpoint and chamber music. She has given solo recitals, lectures, and taught master-classes in Europe, China, Costa Rica, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada; as well as across the USA.
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.
Hédi Salánki's many recordings on the Pantheon, Priceless, Laserlight, and Prince Productions labels are featured frequently by major classical music stations in the USA and Europe. Her compact disc recordings include many significant works of Bach, including Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) (nominated for Ovation Magazine's Debut Artist of the Year Award), the Concerti, and the complete English Suites. She has also recorded Scarlatti Sonatas, G.P. Telemann Overtures, a French Baroque program, and the rags of Scott Joplin. |
