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Nerine Barrett

{{Short description|Jamaican classical pianist and music professor}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Nerine Barrett

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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|02|03|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kingston, Colony of Jamaica, British Empire

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| other_names = Nerine Barrett-Kanngiesser, Nerine Barrett-Kanngießer

| occupation = {{plainlist|

  • Classical pianist
  • Academic teacher

}}

| organizations = {{plainlist|

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Nerine Barrett (born 3 February 1944) is a Jamaican classical pianist, one of the few black women who have achieved international recognition as a pianist.{{#tag:ref|Mark Mitchell, in his book Virtuosi states that "no black women have achieved major international careers as classical pianists".{{sfn|Mitchell|2000|p=88}} Among the shortlist of black women he cites 13 known, who have played internationally "with distinction": Barrett, Armenta Adams, Monica Gaylord, Helen Eugenia Hagan, Hazel Harrison, Natalie Hinderas, Philippa Schuyler, Vivian Scott, Thomasina Tally, Flora Thompson, Lois Towles, Althea Waites, and Frances Walker-Slocum.{{sfn|Mitchell|2000|p=89}}|group="Notes"}} She was selected in 1966 by the Young Concert Artists to appear at Carnegie Hall and the following year won the Mozart Memorial Prize of the Haydn-Mozart Society of London. In the 1980s, she began teaching music as a professor at the Hochschule für Musik Saar and later at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold. She continued to perform both as a solo artist and as part of the Trio Paideia.

Early life and education

Nerine Barrett was born on 3 February 1944, in Kingston, Jamaica to Mary M. (née McDonald) and Everald A. Barrett.{{sfn|Neag|2016}} She was the youngest of three sisters and had a younger brother. Her mother worked as a teacher and secretary and her father was a mathematician and physicist, who was the headmaster at Cornwall College. Barrett began to play the piano when she was two years old and performed on Radio Jamaica for her third birthday. She was first taught piano by Ena Helps and then studied with Trinidadian teacher Rita Coore.{{sfn|Neag|2016}} She attended Wolmer's Girls' School in Kingston.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}}

In 1958, Barrett was selected along with Maxime Franklin to represent Jamaica as the country's performers at the West Indies Festival of the Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1958|p=22}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|2007|p=24}} She appeared as a guest artist with the Jamaican Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra for the organization's 20th-anniversary concert in 1960.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1960|p=18}} The following year, based on a recommendation from Dame Myra Hess, she was awarded a government scholarship to study abroad in England with Ilona Kabos.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|1961|p=22}}

Moving to London in 1962 with Coore, Barrett studied for three years and began participating in piano competitions.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}} In 1964, she placed third at the Casella International Piano Competition held in Milan and the following year was selected to play with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1964|p=27}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|1965|p=26}} In 1966, Barrett was one of the semi-finalists at the Leeds International Piano Competition, which led to performances as a soloist at the St Pancras Arts Festival and on BBC Radio. She also performed twice at the Royal Festival Hall conducted by John Barbirolli.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}{{sfn|The Spokesman-Review|1970|p=55}} Barrett was selected that year by the non-profit Young Concert Artists of New York City to be a touring artist for the company the following season.{{sfn|Young Concert Artists|2019}}{{sfn|The Dayton Daily News|1969|p=14}}

Career

Barrett debuted at Wigmore Hall in London in October 1967 and in November, she was honored with the Mozart Memorial Prize of the Haydn-Mozart Society of London.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967a|p=28}} Later that month she began her first tour of the United States, opening at Carnegie Hall in New York City and then performing in Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia to critical acclaim.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}}{{sfn|The Spokesman-Review|1970|p=55}}{{sfn|The Evening Sun|1967|p=19}} Barrett returned to Carnegie Hall in 1969 for the debut of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and then toured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Dayton, Ohio; East Lansing, Michigan, and Montreal, Quebec, before performing two concerts with the Seattle Symphony.{{sfn|The Spokesman-Review|1970|p=55}}{{sfn|The Herald-News|1969|p=10}} In 1970, she returned to Washington State and played with the Spokane Symphony for their celebrations of Beethoven's bicentennial and then with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.{{sfn|The Spokesman-Review|1970|p=55}}{{sfn|The Guardian|1970a|p=6}} Home in London Barrett performed in several BBC Radio productions,{{sfn|The Ottawa Journal|1970|p=24}}{{sfn|The Guardian|1970b|p=2}} before ending the season at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.{{sfn|Resch|1970|p=5}}

In 1971, Barrett was the recipient of the first Michaels Award given by the Young Concert Artists. The award secured engagements for Barrett in the 1972 to 1973 season with the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Louisville, and St. Louis.{{sfn|The New Era|1971|p=8}} She married Claus Kanngiesser, a German cellist, with whom she had two daughters, and moved to Germany.{{sfn|Neag|2016}} She continued to perform internationally, participating in the Marlboro Music Festival in 1973,{{sfn|The Bennington Banner|1973|p=9}} with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1974,{{sfn|Bowen|1974|p=8}} and in Washington, D. C. in 1975.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1975|p=20}} In the early 1980s, Barrett began teaching at the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken. She continued to perform as a soloist and as a member of the Trio Paideia, with her husband as the cellist and clarinetist Hans Dietrich Klaus. In 1989, she was appointed a professor at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, where she remained until her retirement.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}

Barrett was known for her Mozart playing, as reviewed by both The Guardian and The New York Times.{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}}{{sfn|Bowen|1974|p=8}} Philip Hope-Wallace, critic for The Guardian, wrote that she offered "full singing tone in the slow movement and she did not let those handfuls of notes in the robust rondo slip through her fingers".{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}} She also received good reviews for her interpretation of Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Schubert, and Schumann.{{sfn|Neag|2016}}{{sfn|The Gleaner|1967b|p=2}} Her technical skill was known for its vivacity, rhythmic sense, secure touch, and tasteful presentation, devoid of showmanship.{{sfn|Day|1972|p=14}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=Notes}}

References

=Citations=

{{Reflist|20em}}

=Bibliography=

{{refbegin|30em}}

  • {{cite news |last1=Bowen |first1=Meirion |title=Nerine Barrett, Kempe and the RPO at the Proms |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54576424/the-guardian/ |accessdate=3 July 2020 |date=29 August 1974 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Day |first1=Richard |title=Nerine Barrett Proves An Accomplished Pianist |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54576345/the-bridgeport-post/ |accessdate=3 July 2020 |date=8 February 1972 |newspaper=The Bridgeport Post |location=Bridgeport, Connecticut |page=2 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Mark |title=Virtuosi: A Defense and a (Sometimes Erotic) Celebration of Great Pianists |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSSwDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA88 |date=2000 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington, Indiana |isbn=978-0-253-02854-9}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Neag |first1=Maria-Antoaneta |editor-last1=Knight |editor-first1=Franklin W. |editor-last2=Gates |editor-first2=Henry Louis Jr. |title=Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro–Latin American Biography |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199935796.001.0001/acref-9780199935796-e-183?rskey=ehPKNR&result=182 |year=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, England |isbn=978-0-19-993579-6|chapter=Barrett, Nerine (1944– ), classical pianist}} {{subscription required|via=[http://www.oxfordreference.com/ Oxford University Press]'s Reference Online}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Resch |first1=Tyler |title=Another Marlboro Season Ends |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-aug-24-1970-1841523/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=24 August 1970 |newspaper=The Bennington Banner |location=Bennington, Vermont |page=5 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Bennington Banner|1973}} |author= |title=Casals, Marlboro Enter 13th Season |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-may-19-1973-1841590/ |accessdate=3 July 2020 |date=19 May 1973 |newspaper=The Bennington Banner |location=Bennington, Vermont |page=9 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Spokesman-Review|1970}} |author=|title=City Concert to Mark Date of Beethoven Birth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54591960/the-spokesman-review/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=11 January 1970 |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |page=F17 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1961}} |author=|title=Govt. Awards Four Music Scholarships |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-aug-28-1961-1840873/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=28 August 1961 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=22 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Evening Sun|1967}} |author=|title=Jamaican Pianist To Play at Community College |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54576553/the-evening-sun/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=9 March 1967 |newspaper=The Evening Sun |location=Baltimore, Maryland |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1958}} |author=|title=Musical Evening at King's House |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-mar-20-1958-1840848/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=20 March 1958 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=22 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1975}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett Feted in Washington |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-jan-27-1975-1840795/ |accessdate=3 July 2020 |date=27 January 1975 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=20 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1967b}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett for Piano Recital at State |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-dec-10-1967-1840792/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=10 December 1967 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=2 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1964}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett Third in Festival |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-may-15-1964-1841086/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=15 May 1964 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=27 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1965}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett To Play with Birmingham Orchestra |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-mar-27-1965-1841094/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=27 March 1965 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=26 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The New Era|1971}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett Winner of 1st Michaels Award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54576217/lancaster-new-era/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=5 June 1971 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The New Era |location=Lancaster, Pennsylvania |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1967a}} |author=|title=Nerine Barrett Wins Mozart Memorial Prize |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-nov-15-1967-1840793/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=15 November 1967 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=28 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Herald-News|1969}} |author=|title=N. J. Symphony Preparing for Carnegie Hall Debut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54598147/the-herald-news/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=29 August 1969 |newspaper=The Herald-News |location=Passaic, New Jersey |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|1960}} |author=|title=Philharmonic Begins 20th Anniversary Celebration with 'Seven Last Words' Tonight |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-apr-06-1960-1841046/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=6 April 1960 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=18 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Dayton Daily News|1969}} |author=|title=Pianist Nerine Barrett Next in Vanguard Series |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54591802/dayton-daily-news/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=5 January 1969 |newspaper=The Dayton Daily News |location=Dayton, Ohio |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Guardian|1970b}} |author=|title=Radio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54601418/radio-20-august-1970-london-the/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=20 August 1970 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Ottawa Journal|1970}} |author=|title=Radio Highlights |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54601335/radio-highlights-18-july-1970-ottawa/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=18 July 1970 |newspaper=The Ottawa Journal |location=Ottawa, Ontario |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Gleaner|2007}} |author=|title=This Day in Our Past: April 26 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/celebrity-clipping-apr-26-2007-1840852/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=26 April 2007 |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston, Jamaica |page=24 |via=Newspaperarchive.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Guardian|1970a}} |author=|title=Tomorrow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54602742/tomorrow-9-february-1970-london-the/ |accessdate=2 July 2020 |date=9 February 1970 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Young Concert Artists|2019}} |author=|title=Young Concert Artists Alumni |url=http://www.yca.org/roster/alumni/ |website=yca.org |publisher=Young Concert Artists |accessdate=2 July 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227111111/http://www.yca.org/roster/alumni/ |archivedate=27 December 2019 |location=New York, New York |date=2019 |url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Barrett, Nerine}}

Category:1944 births

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica

Category:20th-century Jamaican women musicians

Category:Jamaican pianists

Category:20th-century classical pianists

Category:20th-century Jamaican women

Category:Women classical pianists

Category:20th-century women pianists