Harpsichord

The earliest harpsichord was an invention of Hermann Poll, active in Padua in 1397. From the beginning, the harpsichord was a popular domestic instrument and manuscript music for it was soon in circulation. However, harpsichord music was considered too frivolous for the expenditure of the considerable skill that was required at the time for printing, this being reserved for sacred music. By the mid-17th century, however, printers and composers were producing suites and dance music in abundance.

Domenico Scarletti wrote at least 555 sonatas for harpsichord; meanwhile, it was entering opera house and concert hall as a continuo instrument. It was not given a concerto until Bach wrote a prominent part for it in his Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and arranged a violin concerto for harpsichord in 1733. His son Carl Philipp Emanuel produced the first original concerto that some year.

The harpsichord has enjoyed renewed exposure in the 20th century: De Falla (in 1926) and Frank martin (1952) are among those who have written concertos for it. It also features in some recent symphonies.

Midi: Bach's Concerto for 4 Harpsichords

Two skeletons copulating on a tin roof. -- Sir Thomas Beecham

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