Tureck Bach Research Institute receives new home at Interlochen Center for the Arts
Founded by Rosalyn Tureck (1913–2003)—a celebrated keyboard artist, teacher, conductor, and scholar—the Tureck Bach Research Institute at Interlochen will preserve her scholarship, performances, and teaching and further research and performance of the music of J.S. Bach.
The Tureck Bach Research Institute has a new home at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Founded by Rosalyn Tureck (1913–2003)—a celebrated keyboard artist, teacher, conductor, and scholar—the institute holds materials amassed over Tureck’s nearly 80-year career, including manuscripts of essays, books, correspondence, and other documents, as well as recordings of her live performances, lectures, and master classes.
As of today, the institute’s digital archive can be found on the Interlochen website at interlochen.org/tureck-bach. Photographs, documents, and recordings are available to researchers around the world.
“Dr. Rosalyn Tureck’s pioneering work as among one of the first women to conduct the New York Philharmonic, her thought leadership in disciplines as wide-ranging as fractal geometry and politics, and her musical scholarship and advocacy for women make her a role model for Interlochen students,” said Interlochen Center for the Arts President Trey Devey. “We’re thrilled and honored to preserve and showcase her legacy through the Tureck Back Research Institute at Interlochen.”
Tureck founded the Tureck Bach Research Institute in 1981 to promote research and performance of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. From 2015 until earlier this year, the institute resided at the Curtis Institute of Music. Interlochen was among several prestigious institutions invited by Kevin Kleinmann, former president of the Tureck Bach Research Institute, to develop a proposal to serve as its new home.
“Few institutions could be as representative as Interlochen of everything that Rosalyn Tureck stood for and worked towards during her illustrious life and career,” said Kleinmann. “Like Interlochen, the Tureck Bach Research Institute champions diversified arts education programs that create synergies between different disciplines and backgrounds. Together we will foster future leaders, educators, and personalities of the arts world and our societies.”
As part of Interlochen’s acquisition of the institute, the Dr. Rosalyn Tureck/Bach Scholarship will provide a scholarship to a female high school-aged piano/keyboard student to attend Interlochen Arts Academy each year. An annual “Dr. Rosalyn Tureck Memorial Concert” at Interlochen will showcase the scholarship recipient and other Arts Academy musicians. Interlochen Arts Academy is the nation’s premier boarding arts high school, where emerging artists transform passion and potential into purpose.
Additionally, a piano practice room in the Music Center on the Interlochen campus will be named in Tureck’s honor. A bust of Tureck by the American-British sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), considered one of the most important pioneers of modern 20th century sculpture, will also be displayed.
“Rosalyn Tureck was one of the most remarkable minds of the 20th century,” said Interlochen Public Radio Music Director and musicology scholar Amanda Sewell. “Her meticulous research into and writings about the music of Bach are unparalleled. We at Classical IPR are thrilled to add her extensive collection of recordings to our broadcast library and share them with our listeners.”
Recordings from the institute will be incorporated into Interlochen coursework and broadcasted on Classical IPR, Interlochen Public Radio’s classical music station. Materials from the institute will also be woven into workshops for piano performers and music educators run by Interlochen College of Creative Arts.
