The Boston Camerata reports the death of James Nicolson-harpsichordist, virginalist, and an early music pioneer in Boston. He was 91.
The ensemble posted on social media: "We mourn the passing of Jim Nicolson, one of Boston's early music pioneers: musician, impresario, and one of the first participants in Camerata concerts. His benevolent, welcoming presence in our community was a constant boon to the music we love, and to its practitioners. We say goodbye, sadly, even as we salute a life well lived."
Nicolson took piano lessons while in college, but only developed an appreciation for the harpsichord after witnessing a performance by the Cambridge Society of Early Music. At 31, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music to study under one of the concert's soloists, Helen Keaney.
Nicolson became a devotee of William Byrd, first being drawn by his work, Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home, and then later recording a compact disc devoted to the Renaissance composer's music. It was also his interest in Byrd that led Nicolson from the harpsichord to the virginal. He recalled a conversation with instrument builder Lynette Tsiang about "what kind of instrument William Byrd would have had; we really don't know what he had during his time," Nicolson said. "We came up with either a small Flemish single of four octaves or a virginal. Very quickly, I came to the decision to get one of the latter. Soon after Lynette had considered my order, I told her I was reading about a double virginal. Would she consider making one of those? And that's what I ended up with."
Besides performing in the United States, Nicolson also gave annual recitals in Europe-often in Austria and Germany-taking his virginal with him.
Nicolson served as overseer of the Boston Early Music Festival, governor of the Shirley-Eustis House Association, and president of The Cambridge Society for Early Music. He was also a member of the Alumni Council of the New England Conservatory of Music.
