Lillian Gordis
Assistant Professor of Harpsichord • Eugene D. Eaton, Jr., Chair in Baroque Music Performance
Piano + keyboard

Born in 1992 into a family of scholars and mathematicians in Berkeley, California, Lillian Gordis fell in love with the harpsichord at age 9 and never looked back. Five years later, Pierre Hantaï discovered her during a tour to the United States and, captivated by her touch, he encouraged her to move to France for further studies. Gordis moved to Paris at 16 where she was mentored by Hantaï and Bertrand Cuiller.

Hailed as a “Martha Argerich of the harpsichord” (ResMusica), Gordis regularly performs as a soloist in festivals across Europe and the United States and plays frequently in a duo with Jérôme Hantaï.

Her most recent album, a double-disc dedicated to Bach (Paraty Productions, 2022) was awarded a Diapason d’Or and has received praise in the press worldwide (Gramophone, Scherzo, American Record Guide, Fono Forum, Qobuz and other media). It was a “coup de cœur nouveauté” on France Musique (Relax !, Lionel Esparza) and was also featured on the program “Le Bach du Dimanche” (Corinne Schneider). Her first solo recording—“Zones” (Paraty Productions, 2019)—was entirely dedicated to the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. Gordis’ next solo album—a second volume of Bach’s keyboard works—will appear in 2025.

Recent highlights include her début as a guest soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and a season-long U.S. tour of solo recitals and duo concerts (New York, San Diego, Ann Arbor, Oberlin, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Berkeley and other capitals). Upcoming performances include solo recitals in France at the Festival Bach en Combrailles and the Festival Académie-Bach Arques-la-Bataille, and a collaboration with Tasto Solo for a spring 2025 Belgian tour.

In 2024, Gordis wasnamed Eaton Chair of Baroque Music at 񱦵 where she teaches harpsichord and directs the Baroque ensemble. In the 2023-24 academic year, she served as visiting assistant professor of harpsichord at Oberlin Conservatory.

Harpsichord