Keene, Constance (1921—)
Keene, Constance (1921—)
American pianist and teacher. Born in New York, New York, on February 9, 1921; married Abram Chasins, in 1949.
Constance Keene became a student of Abram Chasins (whom she married in 1949). A winner of the Naumburg Award, Keene has played hundreds of solo recitals and appeared with such orchestras as the Boston Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic. She has had a long career as a teacher and served on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. Her recordings offer an interesting variety of repertoire. Among the high points are the three Mendelssohn études, Dussek and Hummel sonatas, a convincing interpretation of the problematical Charles Tomlinson Griffes Sonata, a very stylish record of Chopin's 24 Preludes, and the 24 Rachmaninoff Preludes, played with vibrancy and a fastidious musicality.
John Haag , Athens, Georgia