Susanne was a lifelong musician with a focus on baroque music and harpsichord, primarily. She was respected as one of the top harpsichordists on the West Coast during the peak years of the early music revival beginning in the 1960-70s (and now well into its waning years). She performed at top venues and also performed many chamber music concerts with various groups. She was a devoted music scholar and teacher of private students and at several colleges. A tireless advocate for young players, she directly nurtured many professional players from Los Angeles. She made numerous recordings including works of Haydn, Georg Frederic Handel and Antonio Soler. Her early recording of Joseph Haydn’s “Esterhazy Sonatas” drew critical praise and set a high standard for approaching this composer’s music using an historically informed approach and instrument. She worked with early music pioneer and Dutch harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt who is considered the founding father of the prevailing and present-day approach to the harpsichord. Close relations with Anthony Newman encouraged her continued advocacy of the harpsichord in Southern California. She collaborated with William Neil Roberts and Anthony Brazier of the Los Angeles Harpsichord Center. (please see obituary for more details).
Susanne Shapiro – 14 Sonatas For Harpsichord By Antonio Soler
Haydn Sonata in D Major H. XVI:24 – Susanne Shapiro
