Wanda Landowska, the visionary Polish harpsichordist, was a mind-blowing musician and musical interpreter. She single-handedly revived the harpsichord as a modern instrument in the early 20th Century, and toured extensively throughout Europe. Living in France in the 1930's, she was forced to flee to The United States following the German occupation (Landowska was Jewish). She emigrated to New York City, then moved to Connecticut, where she continued touring and teaching until her death in 1959. Quite a few really great recordings exist going back to the 30's. Her playing can sound almost like Flamenco guitar, or synthesizer music. I have been listening to her versions of Bach's Italian Concertos, and they are stunning.
Cross-posted to A Jeremiad
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