Steven Barwick

Barwick, Steven Pianist, musicologist, teacher, friend, died in Carbondale, IL on January 24, 2006.
He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on March 2, 1921, the only child of Leonard Henry Barwick and Cynthia (Johnson) Barwick.
After receiving his bachelor's degree from Coe College, which awarded him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts in 1969, Steve went to the Eastman School of Music where he gained his master's degree in piano performance under the tutelage of Cecile Genhardt.
He then went to Harvard for his PhD in musicology. In his important 1949 dissertation he pioneered the study o f early Mexican Polyphony. His work is still considered seminal as recent recordings, including one by the Westminster Cathedral Choir, attest. The SIU Press published his editions of the Franco Codex - Cathedral of Mexico (1965) and Two Mexican City Choirbooks (1982). He also contributed articles on Spanish music to the 2nd edition of the Harvard Dictionary of Music.
While at Harvard he studied with the American pianist, Beveridge Webster. Among his other teachers were Claudio Arrau in New York City and Ilona Kabos in London. Steve was a pianist of wide musical tastes but he was particularly attracted to the music of the French impressionists enhanced by his extensive study in Paris with Jules Gentil.
After graduating from Harvard and short spells of teaching in several institutions, Steve went to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1955 and remained there until his retirement in 1988. During that time he performed in many capacities - recitals, chamber music, concertos - making his final appearance, when his hands were already seriously crippled by arthritis, playing the piano part in Beethoven's 'Archduke' Trio. Other recitals included two in London's famed Wigmore Hall. Steve was widely sought after as a performance jurist. He remained a faithful concertgoer and had planned to attend a concert at SIUC on December 2, which turned out to be the day he was last admitted to hospital.
Steve's friend and former student, Wilred Delphin, described Steve as a model professor who cared deeply for his students. As both performer and teacher, Steve stood in direct line to the tradition of Alfred Cortot, which focused above all on the development of a full-rounded, beautiful piano sound.

Steve traveled widely throughout the world although London and Paris remained his favorite destinations.
He will be fondly remembered by many for his delightful parties and dinners which he prepared himself with the same care and refinement that characterized his piano playing.Services: Funeral arrangements are private. Memorials may be made to the 'Steven Barwick Piano Major Award' through the SIU Foundation.