Eric Charles Larsen

1952 - 2024

Larsen, Eric Charles

April 23, 1952 - February 13, 2024

Eric Charles Larsen, aged 71, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, passed away on February 13, 2024. Eric was born on April 23, 1952, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin to the late Charles and Barbara Larsen. The family moved to Stevens Point in 1965. Eric graduated in 1970 from PJ Jacobs High School.

A private gathering was held on February 19th at Eric's home in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Family, friends and former students celebrated Eric's life with a meal while sharing memories. A concert celebrating Eric Larsen's life will be held in February of 2025 at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Eric attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for his undergraduate degree as a pianist. He later attended the Manhattan School of Music where he earned his Master of Music.

He began his teaching career in 1979 at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Eric served on the piano faculty for nearly four decades, retiring in 2017. Two years later he was appointed Professor Emeritus at the School of the Arts. Eric was always known for his compassion and caring. His students were his family and he treated them with love, respect and care. Through the decades, he was not only one-of-a-kind teacher and mentor, but also a true father figure to many of his students.

Eric was a skilled listener and often a person of very few words. He was humble and was not one to speak to his own talent and accomplishments.

Outside of his musical pursuits, Eric was a gourmet cook who enjoyed cooking with and for his students and colleagues. His home was a beloved place for making and sharing unforgettable meals. He loved food, wine and friends. He found joy in traveling the world, with Prague and Paris holding special places in his heart.

Eric is survived by his siblings, Sue Pliska, (John) Junction City, Wisconsin. Chris ( Bonnie) Crested Butte, Colorado, Mary Lu, Duluth, Minnesota, and Andrew, Stevens Point, Wisconsin along with four nieces and two nephews. In addition, a celebration of Eric's life will be held in Stevens Point, Wisconsin in the summer of 2024.

Eric's legacy as a talented musician, dedicated educator, and compassionate individual will continue to inspire all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

ERIC LARSEN.

American pianist Eric Larsen has been heard in the major concert halls of Russia, Europe, South America, Asia and the United States. He was a member of both the Meadowmount Trio and the American Chamber Trio. His musical collaborations have included Joseph Silverstein, Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell, Ransom Wilson, James Ehnes and the Mendelssohn, Alexander and Wihan String Quartets. His live performances have been broadcasted on NPR, WQXR,WFMT, Moscow State Radio and Colombian National Television.

Mr. Larsen has recorded in Moscow for both Melodiya and Russian Disc, in Prague for Equilibrium, and Naxos and in the United States for Albany and HM Productions. His discography includes the complete Trios of Brahms, the complete Trios and Quartet of Turina, as well as Trios of Beethoven, Dvorak, Ravel, and Tchaikovsky. His recording of the Chausson Concerto and the Piano Trio was released on Naxos in 2011. In 1991, he was asked to create a piano program at the Meadowmount School of Music, followed by his appointment as the Director of this legendary institution from 2009 to 2020.

Mr. Larsen's students have won prizes in major international piano competitions including the Casagrande, Busoni, International Bach, Joseph Hofmann and UNISA Pretoria Competitions. He traveled frequently internationally to give solo and chamber music master classes. Mr. Larsen has been on the faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts since 1979 and after retiring in 2017 stayed active as a member of the advisory board for the UNCSA Chamber Music Festival, as well as the Board of directors for the Meadowmount School of Music.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service (Downtown)