We are sad to report the death of distinguished harpsichordist Alan Cuckston, at the age of 84. 

Cuckston studied at Kings’ College Cambridge under the tutelage of Thurston Dart before pursuing,
from the 1960s onwards, an illustrious and international career as a harpsichordist.

He toured with The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and Pro Cantione Antiqua and made many
BBC broadcasts as soloist and ensemble player. He formed the Alan Cuckston Singers and the
Cuckston Trio. He recorded on early keyboard instruments for the BBC archives and made numerous
recordings of Baroque keyboard works for Naxos, and for RCA and several other labels. Cuckston also
championed the music of contemporary composers including Elizabeth Maconchy, giving the first
performance of her Sonatina for harpsichord in 1965.  He was also in demand as organist and pianist
throughout his career and is well known for having recorded the complete piano works of Alan
Rawsthorne.  His harpsichord was a 1638 Ruckers copy by John Rooks