A new Internet Academy

Back in the 1960s we were temporarily living, in between moves, in New York. My husband, Henry Pleasants, and Dr William B. Ober, MD, pen pals of shared interests, were lunching together when Bill said 'Your wife should meet my brother-in-law, Howard Schott, also a harpsichordist'. At that time Howard was an international lawyer. Home between trips, we were invited for Sunday coffee and so began a long personally- and musically-rewarding friendship. Soon we were living in London and Howard was in England too. He had left the business world and was at Wadham College, Oxford, to begin work on his doctorate. While at Yale, he had privately studied with Ralph Kirkpatrick.

Howard was a most valued and personal friend to whom I often turned for good counsel, not forgetting books, photocopies, scores, etc. We shared many concerts on both sides of the Atlantic; I remember one in particular at which he introduced me to Rafael Puyana, the artist of the evening. He gave me unlimited use of his harpsichord to prepare for a recording of a modern concerto. Our two harpsichords were made side by side in David Rubio's workshop, another mutual interest.

I was not the only recipient of his friendship, knowledge and generosity with time and advice, but because I was so fortunate for so many years, I would like to pay tribute via Early music, a journal much associated with Howard. All will miss his contributions.