Through his more than 100 recordings, his annual concert tours of Europe and the United States, and his distinguished and insightful teaching and scholarly writing, Gustav Leonhardt has become the most influential harpsichordist of his generation. Born in Holland, educated in Switzerland, and now resident in Amsterdam, Leonhardt represents the thoughtful musician whose fingers work with disciplined freedom to recreate both the letter and the inner meaning of the baroque music he performs. As a leading advocate of performance on period instruments and as a sought-a-after teacher, he has demonstrated his continuing commitment to stylistic authority as well as artistic sensitivity in recreating music of the past. In 1969 Leonhardt was appointed Lamb Visiting Lecturer in music at Harvard University; he continues to serve as a permanent jury member for the triennial harpsichord competitions in Bruges; in 1980 he was co-recipient of the Dutch Erasmus prize for distinguished contributions to European Culture.

In recognition of his consummate artistry and service to the world of music, Southern Methodist University is proud to confer upon Gustav Leonhardt the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa.