Paul William Lyddon, Jr.

"If music doesn't reach the emotions of its listeners, then it doesn't do what it is supposed to."

"It [is] evident that a dedicated, soulful performer [is] at work."

Paul Lyddon,

was a distinguished American concert pianist whose prolific career included performances across the United States, Asia, and Europe. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Illinois, Lyddon performed with the Denver Symphony under Vladimir Golschmann, accompanied Charles Treger at Carnegie Hall, and toured widely as a soloist and duo pianist. In 1983, he became one of the first Western classical musicians invited to tour the People’s Republic of China, performing and teaching in six cities throughout the country.

Lyddon would eventually settle on the island of O'ahu where he spent over two decades on the faculty of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He also went on to serve as president of the Honolulu Piano Teachers Association and vice president of the Hawai‘i Music Teachers Association. He remained an active musician with his wife, fellow pianist Kaoru Tajima. The two would regularly perform well into his later years, often hosting recitals at the Mozart Music House as well as their own home.

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The Early Years

Paul Lyddon’s musical studies began at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied from the age of three up to his undergraduate degree. He went on to earn a master’s degree in piano with "Honors in Performance" at the University of Illinois and served in the U.S. Army Band and Chorus. His early career was marked by a rapid rise toward national recognition, and, as the Bozeman Daily Chronicle observed, “it [was] evident that Lyddon will be increasingly in demand.”

Concert Career

Lyddon joined the University of Wyoming in 1965, where he would eventually become a Professor in the music department. During this period he delivered over 700 performances across 35 states as well as in England, Germany, and Austria. Notably, he was invited to perform for The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. His reputation would reach various management agencies who sought him out to serve as a professional accompanist for their artists.

Memories Through the Years

An archive of Paul Lyddon's life told through old and modern photographs.

"Though everybody plays Chopin, it is given to only a few to perform Chopin, and Mr. Lyddon is among those few."

Finale

Lyddon remained a committed performer well into old age. He continued to travel and perform with his wife Kaoru, hosting recitals in their home on O'ahu until his final years. He passed away peacefully at the age of 92 surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of nearly 90 years of dedication to the classical music world.

Scarlatti - Sonata in G minor, K.426

Thank you for visiting the memorial for the great classical pianist Paul William Lyddon, Jr. Please enjoy this piece by Scarlatti that Mr. Lyddon performed for The Phillips Collection in 1965. This, and many other of Lyddon's recorded performances can be found in the Youtube archive.