Joan Benson facts for kids

Joan Benson, a talented keyboard player.

Joan Benson (born October 9, 1925 – died January 1, 2020) was an American musician. She was famous for playing two special old keyboard instruments: the clavichord and the fortepiano. She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Who Was Joan Benson?

Joan Benson was a very talented musician who dedicated her life to playing and teaching about historical keyboard instruments. She helped many people learn about the unique sounds of the clavichord and fortepiano.

A Teacher and Musician

From 1968 to 1976, Joan Benson taught music at Stanford University. After that, she joined the faculty at the University of Oregon in Eugene. She continued teaching there until 1987, sharing her knowledge with many students.

What is a Clavichord?

The clavichord is a quiet keyboard instrument that was popular from the 15th to the 18th centuries. When you press a key, a small metal blade called a tangent hits the strings. This creates a soft, delicate sound. It's often used for practicing or playing music in a small room.

What is a Fortepiano?

The fortepiano is an early version of the modern piano. It was invented around the year 1700. Unlike the clavichord, the fortepiano can play both loud (forte) and soft (piano) sounds, which is how it got its name. It uses hammers to strike the strings, giving it a richer sound than the clavichord.

Her Later Years

Joan Benson passed away on January 1, 2020, in Eugene, Oregon. She was 94 years old and left behind a wonderful legacy of music and teaching.

Joan Benson's Recordings

Joan Benson made several recordings that let people hear the beautiful sounds of the clavichord and fortepiano. These recordings helped to preserve and share the music played on these historical instruments.

• Joan Benson, Clavichord (1962): This was one of her first recordings, later reissued in 1972.
• Music of C. P. E. Bach (1976): On this album, she played both the clavichord and a fortepiano made in 1795 by John Broadwood.
• Works of Haydn and Pasquini (1982): For this recording, she used original clavichords from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
• Clavichord Music of Johann Kuhnau and C. P. E. Bach (1987 and 1996): This recording was made with the Early Music Institute at Indiana University School of Music.
• Artistry of Joan Benson (2014): This CD was released with her book, Clavichord for Beginners, by Indiana University Press.
• The Clavichord, Vision and Voice of Joan Benson (2014): This DVD also came with her book, showing her playing and teaching.

See also

In Spanish: Joan Benson para niños