The indefatigable Norman Lebrecht was the first to break the news that Gustav Leonhardt has died, age 83. Leonhardt used to come to Boston quite often when I was young-as my hometown began its ascendancy to early music capital of the world. He conducted the Brandenburgs at Sanders Theater-the first time I heard this music 'live'-and what better introduction? Leonhardt went on to play the Goldbergs on harpsichord. He would sit quietly before he began without any of this "getting in the zone" nonsense. He spoke simply and seriously about the music that mean the most to him (Bach, Couperin, Monteverdi) and off stage was a bumbling absent-minded professor type, kind to silly kids like me who skipped the grade to hear his concerts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVNzemi1Fpk
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.