Comments on: Early modern harpsichord? http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/ Bringing Early Music blogs on the net together Sun, 11 May 2008 23:38:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: John Gavin http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-794 Sat, 23 Sep 2006 15:17:12 +0000 http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-794 I own a Pleyel harpsichord (with 7 Pedals). I like only modern harpsichords and dislike historicals. The prejudice against modern instruments is baffling to me - rather dogmatic. The list of 20th century compositions for harpsichord is actually very extensive. The players who made a reputation out of 20th century music are, interestingly, women - Elizabeth Chojnacka (who plays only modern harpsichords), Barbara Harbach, Elaine Funaro, and the late Sylvia Marlowe. I own a Pleyel harpsichord (with 7 Pedals). I like only modern harpsichords and dislike historicals. The prejudice against modern instruments is baffling to me - rather dogmatic. The list of 20th century compositions for harpsichord is actually very extensive. The players who made a reputation out of 20th century music are, interestingly, women - Elizabeth Chojnacka (who plays only modern harpsichords), Barbara Harbach, Elaine Funaro, and the late Sylvia Marlowe.

]]> by: nabetz http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-383 Wed, 24 May 2006 18:37:43 +0000 http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-383 Interestingly, some of my first lessons were on an old Pleyel harpsichord. I remember hating it from the very beginning (I was--and am--a ultrapurist!) My teacher (at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) had access to an exceedinlgy wide range of early keyboard instruments--from 17th century spinets, to 18th century Kirkmans, to an 1806 Broadman pianoforte, to modern reproductions of 18th century English, French, and Italian harpsichords, to an 18th century English chapel organ that he put in his house (the chapel was slated for destruction!), to various clavichords, to the Pleyel Beast. He wanted me to be familiar with all types of early instruments. It's always nice to have access to such a broad range of harpsichords, especially as an eager 12-year-old student! As to music for the 19th/20th century behemoths, try work by Vincent Persichetti (sp?). For recordings, look into anything recorded by the famed Wanda Landowska and also recordings by Rafael Puyana. Interestingly, some of my first lessons were on an old Pleyel harpsichord. I remember hating it from the very beginning (I was–and am–a ultrapurist!) My teacher (at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) had access to an exceedinlgy wide range of early keyboard instruments–from 17th century spinets, to 18th century Kirkmans, to an 1806 Broadman pianoforte, to modern reproductions of 18th century English, French, and Italian harpsichords, to an 18th century English chapel organ that he put in his house (the chapel was slated for destruction!), to various clavichords, to the Pleyel Beast. He wanted me to be familiar with all types of early instruments. It’s always nice to have access to such a broad range of harpsichords, especially as an eager 12-year-old student!

As to music for the 19th/20th century behemoths, try work by Vincent Persichetti (sp?). For recordings, look into anything recorded by the famed Wanda Landowska and also recordings by Rafael Puyana.

]]> by: mogens http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-14 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:54:27 +0000 http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-14 Thank you very much for your comment. I am very interested in finding music composed for this kind of harpsichord. Thank you very much for your comment. I am very interested in finding music composed for this kind of harpsichord.

]]> by: megc http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-13 Thu, 02 Mar 2006 16:32:31 +0000 http://earlymusicblog.net/2006/02/19/early-modern-harpsichord/#comment-13 I took some of my first harpsichord lessons on a harpsichord with pedal (Rutkowski & Robinette) stops. There are some 20th century pieces for which pedal stops are quite useful - the Carter Quartet comes to mind. He specifies a 16' stop, and the speed at which one needs to change stops is no doubt connected to the presence of a harpsichord with pedal stops (I'm guessing that's what Carter had at his disposal when he wrote it). You might post to the harpsichord listserv to see if anyone there might help you with finding a recording you're looking for. I play historical instruments but recognize the place in history of the "modern" harpsichord. Enjoy! I took some of my first harpsichord lessons on a harpsichord with pedal (Rutkowski & Robinette) stops. There are some 20th century pieces for which pedal stops are quite useful - the Carter Quartet comes to mind. He specifies a 16′ stop, and the speed at which one needs to change stops is no doubt connected to the presence of a harpsichord with pedal stops (I’m guessing that’s what Carter had at his disposal when he wrote it). You might post to the harpsichord listserv to see if anyone there might help you with finding a recording you’re looking for. I play historical instruments but recognize the place in history of the “modern” harpsichord. Enjoy!

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