Thanks to the generosity of DePaul University alumnus Marie McGuckin of Palos Heights, Ill., the DePaul School of Music will host the Charles E. McGuckin Harpsichord Recital Series for the fifth consecutive year with its eagerly anticipated concert event April 9, at 8 p.m. in the DePaul Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden Ave.

Award-winning harpsichordist Charlotte Mattax performs a program of early works, including selections from J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, which was chosen to illustrate the differing styles of 16th and 17th century solo keyboard literature. The concert will be followed by a reception, both of which are free of charge and open to the public.

Although the harpsichord is similar in shape to the modern grand piano, their respective keyboards differ dramatically. In the earlier instrument, the strings are plucked rather than struck. Enormously popular in the 16th through 18th centuries, the harpsichord has experienced a revival in more modern times. Yet the opportunity to experience this unique instrument remains infrequent.

Marie McGuckin established this recital series five years ago with the donation of a double manual Martin harpsichord to the School of Music in honor of her late husband, Charles. Both husband and wife have close ties to DePaul; he was a 1956 graduate of the University’s School of Education and former Chicago public school principal; she is a 1964 alumna of the music school. The harpsichord was unveiled at an inaugural concert in April of 2001.

The soloist, Charlotte Mattax, associate professor of harpsichord and coordinator of graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Music, says that in teaching and performing, her emphasis is always on the importance of historical performance—remaining faithful to keyboard practices, techniques and styles from the past.

To that end, Mattax formed a highly praised period instrument ensemble, Concerto Urbano, on the U of I campus in 1998 and teaches fortepiano and basso continuo in addition to harpsichord. Her own musicianship gained critical attention in 1980 and 1983, when she was awarded top prize honors at the prestigious International Harpsichord Competitions of Bruges and Paris, respectively. She since has appeared in major music centers throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and member of various chamber ensembles. She has made several solo recordings on the Koch International Classics and Centaur labels, among others.

Her concert program opens with works by Johann Jakob Froberger and Thomas Tomkins, and includes pieces by Louis Couperin, Jean-Henry d’Anglebert, Jacques Duphly, Antoine Forqueray and Francois Couperin, the most important member of the Couperin musical dynasty.

For more information, call the DePaul School of Music at 773/325-7260.

Note to Editors: To receive photos of Mattax via e-mail, contact Robin Florzak at 312/362-8592 or rflorzak@depaul.edu .