Shirley Perle

Shirley Xenia Gabis Perle, a pianist and piano teacher, died in her home on September 30th, 2024.

Shirley was born in Philadelphia in 1924, to Rae & Harry Gabis, both of whom immigrated from Russia around the turn of the century.

From an early age, Shirley was deeply immersed in her love of music. Bored by school, she would escape to practice her piano, wander through museums or find quiet places to read novels and poetry.

When she was 16, Shirley fell in with a group of musicians and composers, including Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Istomin and Ned Rorem, who would regularly gather at Rae’s apartment on Delancey Street, where they would play music and eat Rae’s borshch late into the night. They all remained lifelong friends.

Shirley briefly attended the Curtis Institute and then went on to Paris where she prepared for her debut piano performance.

Shirley made her living teaching piano, while also regularly performing at the homes of friends and small venues throughout certain periods of her life. She never stopped learning and growing as a pianist and musician.

Shirley was still practicing every day, teaching and playing four-hands with friends up until weeks before her death.

In 1982, Shirley married the contemporary composer and music theorist George Perle. They were married for 40 years until his death in 2009. Previous husbands included the composer Seymour Barab and artist George Rhoads, with whom she had two children, Daisy and Paul.

Shirley lived her life at the epicenter of the contemporary classical music world of her time. She maintained deep friendships with many notable 20th century musicians, composers and musical theorists.

More recently, Shirley was a close friend and musical mentor to many important young composers and performers, including Michael Stephen Brown, Jay Campbell and Orion Weiss.

Shirley had many passions and interests - in poetry, literature, art and culture. She was a composer and poet in her own quiet way, and her wit and forcefulness were legend.

Shirley is survived by her children, Paul and Daisy, and her grandchild Chip Xenia Rae Kimura.