Philip Manuel

Philip Manuel (1893 – October 6, 1959) was an American pianist, organist, harpsichordist and music educator. With pianist, organist and harpsichordist Gavin Williamson, he formed a duo in 1922, known as Manuel and Williamson, that helped promote the use of harpsichords as concert instruments.

Life and career Philip Manuel was of Portuguese and British descent. He began the study of music at a military school with piano teachers who traveled from town to town. He attended Grinnell College in Iowa, where he studied in both the academic and music departments.

His was slim, quiet, and scholarly. He wore pince-nez instead of spectacles, and tended to stick out his tongue during crucial moments of a musical programme.

Manuel's first professional association was as a tenor singer to pianist Gavin Williamson (1897–1989). Manuel and Williamson went to Paris, where they studied for many years with Wanda Landowska and contracted with Pleyel et Cie to produce two instruments for their use.

Manuel died in Chicago at age 66. Notable students include Lili Chookasian.

Discography Bach: Concerto in C major for 3 Harpsichords and Strings / Rameau: Les cyclopes – Manuel and Williamson Harpsichord Ensemble, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1948) Bach Concerto in C major for 2 Harpsichords and Strings/ Couperin: Musette de Taverny – Manuel and Williamson, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1948)