| The principal objective of this study was to investigate the professional career of French-born pianist Daniel Ericourt (born 1903) and, more specifically, to explore Ericourt's contributions as artist-in-residence at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1963 to 1976. Secondary objectives were to compile biographical data in order to establish Ericourt's educational and professional background, identify important teachers and associates, and disclose events, philosophies and achievements which influenced his artistic development and led to his career as pianist and pedagogue.;The most important source of data was personal interviews with Daniel Ericourt and his wife Jayne Winfield. Other sources of information were interviews with former UNCG colleagues and students, international concert programs, audio recordings, critical reviews, personnel files, books, personal letters, newspaper and professional journal articles, telephone interviews, testimonials, personal records, and a student survey.;The credentials that Ericourt brought to UNCG were indeed distinctive. He had received his training at the Paris Conservatoire, from which he graduated in 1920 with the premier prix in piano. Throughout his career he had associated with many internationally prominent musicians and was in the enviable position of having known French composer Claude Debussy. He had enjoyed a successful, worldwide concert career for more than thirty years. As a recording artist, he had been ranked with many of the top performers, including Gieseking, Richter, and Casadesus. He was considered to be one of the foremost interpreters of Debussy's piano works. He had held professorships at Cincinnati Conservatory (1926-34) and Peabody Conservatory (1957-63), as well as at Musica en Compostela in Spain (summers 1959-62).;What Ericourt accomplished at UNCG as concert artist and master teacher is recognized by former students, faculty colleagues, and administrators. His contributions toward the improved quality of the music program and the broadened cultural perspective of UNCG are unquestionably evident. |
