15 Facts About Susi Jeans

Susi, Lady Jeans was an Austrian-born professional organist, teacher and musicologist.

Susi Jeans was of Jewish descent through her father and was a direct descendant of the famed medieval rabbi Rashi.

Susi Jeans trained as a ballet dancer by the modernist teacher Gertrud Bodenwieser but growing rather rapidly, switched to the piano.

Susi Jeans accepted his offer but did not report on his lessons' effects other than to say that he was a very old man at the time.

Lady Susi Jeans continued to live at the house until she died in 1993.

Between 1933 and 1935, she studied intermittently at the Leipzig Kirchenmusikalisches Institut with Karl Straube during which time Susi Jeans acquired knowledge of period instruments, forming her specialisation.

Susi Jeans advocated, amongst other theories, that the trio sonatas by J S Bach were conceived with the pedal harpsichord as the larger instrument of the three involved, rather than the organ, Susi Jeans bought a two manual and pedal harpsichord by Maendler-Schramm of Munich.

Susi Jeans's first concert tour in Britain, in 1934, was a great success and the following year she returned to play at the Handel Festival in Cambridge.

Susi Jeans founded the Mickleham and Westhumble Festival in 1954, which was renamed the Boxhill Music Festival in 1966 and subsequently held at Cleveland Lodge until the summer before her death.

Susi Jeans founded and ran an annual summer school for organists.

Susi Jeans adjudicated major international competitions and from 1967 held a post at the University of Colorado.

Susi Jeans championed informed performances and authentic restoration and use of harpsichords, clavichords and organs.

Susi Jeans was a recreational player and public exponent of the clavichord.

Susi Jeans published many articles in scholarly journals, as well as editions of scores.

Susi Jeans bequeathed her house to the Royal School of Church Music for a centre for musicians and it was itself restored and modified using National Lottery money.