Collection: JACQUELYN HELIN: THE MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS
Jacquelyn Helin is a highly regarded American pianist, particularly celebrated for her significant contributions to and advocacy for contemporary American piano music. Throughout her career, she distinguished herself as a fervent champion of living composers, actively commissioning, premiering, and promoting new works for the instrument.
Helin became known for her technical command, intellectual rigor, and deep interpretive insight, qualities that made her a sought-after collaborator for composers seeking definitive performances of their challenging and innovative music. She worked closely with numerous prominent figures in American composition, including John Adams, Richard Danielpour, Joan Tower, and Joseph Schwantner, among others, often giving the first performances of pieces written specifically for her.
A significant aspect of her performing career was her partnership with her husband, pianist Paul Helin. As the Helin Duo, they explored and performed a wide range of repertoire, including important contemporary works for two pianos, further expanding the reach of new music.
Her commitment is documented through recordings that brought wider attention to complex modern piano literature, preserving important interpretations for future listeners and performers. Beyond performing, Helin also dedicated herself to education, holding faculty positions where she mentored young pianists, likely passing on her passion for both the standard repertoire and the music of our time.
Through her tireless advocacy, dedicated performances, commissions, and recordings, Jacquelyn Helin played a crucial role in enriching the modern piano repertoire and ensuring that the vital voices of contemporary American composers were heard and appreciated.
