Wanda Landowska was a Polish harpsichordist and pianist who was born on this day, July 5 in 1879 (d.  1959). Landowska’s performances, teaching, writings and her many recordings played a large role in reviving the popularity of the harpsichord in the early 20th century. She was the first person to record Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” on the harpsichord in 1933.

The great violinist Yehudi Menuhin had a long and close friendship with Landowska – seen here together in this Karsh double portrait.