A tribute to Igor Kipnis

Among the advantage that modern technology has afforded mankind is the Internet. Electronic mail with its many discussion lists is a true invitation to debate on a variety of subjects in different fields of human knowledge. Through one of this Internet discussing lists that I came to keep contact with the great musician Igor Kipnis, dead on the beginning of 2002 at 71 years old.This virtual friendship grew to the point where I was invited to send him two of my works for solo harpsichord. On that occasion, Igor was playing in a four hands piano duo with pianist Karen Kushner. It was 1998 and the Kipnis-Kushner Piano Duo was coming to Brazil for a tour, when I was surprised by Igor's message with a request to write a short four hands piano piece which was appropriate to an ‘encore'. Surprised, honored and full of enthusiasm by the…