Thomas B. Richner

Thomas B. Richner, renown concert pianist and organist, died on July 12, 2008, in Worcester, at the age of 96. After winning the Naumberg Award in 1940 he made his New York debut in a Town Hall Recital in 1941. Of that performance the senior critic of the New York Times wrote "Anyone who can play Mozart as sensitively and poetically as he did is rarely encountered on the concert platform. Mr Richner is a born Mozart player and they are few." This launched a brilliant concert career with highly acclaimed performances in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Asia. He became an internationally recognized authority on the interpretation of Mozart's piano works and published a book and several articles on the subject.

Dr. Richner was born in Point Marion, Pennsylvania and went to the University of West Virginia in Morgantown. His career soon took him to New York City where he studied piano with the highly acclaimed Russian pianist Dora Zaslavsky. Later he earned a doctorate from Columbia University and was also awarded numerous honorary doctorate degrees from universities across the country.

Equally comfortable at the organ, Dr. Richner had a dual performance career. He served as organist of The Fifth Church of Christ Scientist in New York City, and for the last 20 years of his career as the organist of The First Church of Christ Scientist (the Mother Church) in Boston. Teaching piano and organ at Rutgers University and Columbia University as well as privately was an important part of his life. He also founded and directed the Richner Strong Institute at Colby College, a summer program for church musicians.

Dr. Richner is survived by many devoted students and friends, including Tom Rosiello and Malcolm Halliday, with whom he made his home in his retirement.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 2 PM in The First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Thomas B. Richner Fund, which assist young pianists and organists, and supports local musical performances. Contributions may be mailed to 700 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.