Examining the history and culture of the keyboard

Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards

The Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards fosters original and imaginative approaches to the performance and study of keyboard instruments, their technological underpinnings, their intersections with other arts, and their participation in the global currents of cultural and social history.

CCHK News

Inside Elemental Energies: A Student Reflects on a Groundbreaking Performance

A reflective piece in The Cornell Daily Sun captures a one-of-a-kind concert from the "Keyboard Energies" symposium, where 13 performers explored the electrification of keyboard sound through classical, contemporary, and improvised works.

Securing The Future of The Center: $5 Million Gift From The Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation

Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards receives a gift that will secure the future of its museum-quality holdings, as well as a rich program of concerts, festivals and educational offerings. Read the full article in the Cornell Chronicle.

Theatrical Technique, Masks, and Mozart: Guest Robi Arce-Martínez Brings Commedia Dell’Arte Experience

Join us on May 7-8 for the presentation, workshops, and discussion on the historical and contemporary impact of the commedia dell’arte tradition by Puerto Rican director, actor, educator, mask-maker, deviser and artivist Robi Arce-Martínez.

May 9: Semester Finale of the Salon Project with Gabriel Merrill-Steskal

Melodic ornamentation in the music of Mozart and Chopin and the practice of preluding — in the final salon of the semester with CCHK Visiting Fellow.

Midday Music event — Annette Richards opening a Midday Music for Organ event

April 30: Semester Finale of Midday Music for Organ with Annette Richards in “Bach and Beyond”

The final organ midday break, the closure of 2024-25 season at Cornell, by the University Organist Annette Richards.

April 29: Organ Recital with Jeffrey Snedeker

Guest organist Jeffrey Snedeker brings the mystical and transcendent works by 20th-century French organists Charles Tournemire, Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Duruflé.

April 25-26: Keyboard Energies Symposium

Intertwined histories of keyboard instruments, experimentation, and electricity across 20th-century New York State come together in scholarship and performance.

April 22: Earth Day with Cornell Organists III

Third-annual celebration of Earth Day at the Baroque Organ with turned-off electric blower. Performers include David Yearsley, Annette Richards and students in this year’s organ class.

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