Playing the Harpsichord Expressively: A Practical and Historical Guide

by Mark Kroll

Overview

The art of expressive harpsichord playing was lost when the instrument was replaced by the piano in the nineteenth century. Despite the great strides in harpsichord performance and building made during the last 100 years, the full expressive potential of the instrument has not yet been realized, or sometimes even acknowledged by professionals or amateurs. This book reveals the depth of expression that is possible on the harpsichord, and teaches the performer how to achieve it.

Previous books devoted to playing the instrument have either been written for amateurs and beginners with little or no experience on the harpsichord, or they take a scholarly approach. This resource is written with a different goal in mind: teaching the art of expressive harpsichord playing to those who have had experience on the instrument, and also to pianists and organists who love the repertoire, and want to play it on the keyboard instrument for which it was composed.

Presented together with quotes from the most important primary sources on the instrument, the book contains more than 100 musical examples in an easily-accessible format and one of the most comprehensive bibliographies available.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810850323
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/08/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Mark Kroll, recognized as one of the world's leading harpsichordists and fortepianists, has won critical acclaim for his virtuosity and expressive playing during a career that has spanned more than three decades. A noted authority on period instruments and performance practice, he has written on a wide range of subjects, given master classes and courses throughout the country and Europe, and served for 25 years as Professor of Harpsichord and Fortepiano and Chairman of the Department of Historical Performance at Boston University.

Table of Contents

Part 1 List of Illustrations Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Method of Using This Book Part 5 Introduction Part 6 Section I:Techniques Chapter 7 Lesson I: Basic Technique Chapter 8 Lesson II: Articulation Chapter 9 Lesson III: Advanced Exercies in Expressive Articulation Chapter 10 Lesson IV: Resolving Dissonance Chapter 11 Lesson V: Two-Part Textures Chapter 12 Lesson VI: Multivoiced Textures Chapter 13 Lesson VII: Polyphonic Music Chapter 14 Lesson VIII: Homophony (Playing Chords) Chapter 15 Lesson IX: Accompaniment Figures Chapter 16 Lesson X: Playing Ornaments Chapter 17 Lesson XI: Registration Chapter 18 Lesson XII: Special Techniques Chapter 19 Lesson XIII: Fingering Part 20 Section II: Playing in Style Chapter 21 Lesson I: Rhythm Chapter 22 Lesson II: Style brisé and Chapter 23 Lesson III: Dance Movements Chapter 24 Lesson IV: Ornaments Chapter 25 Lesson V: Free Embellishment and Improvisation Chapter 26 Lesson VI: Character and Dedicatory Pieces Chapter 27 Lesson VII: Conclusion - National Styles Part 28 Appendix I: Ornaments: A Quick Reference Guide Part 29 Appendix II: Summary of Harpsichord Terminology Part 30 Appendix III: Contemporary Harpsichord Music Part 31 Notes Part 32 Bibliography Part 33 Index Part 34 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Kroll...presents a precise, user-friendly manual both for those with experience on the harpsichord and for pianists and organists who love the repertoire and want to play it on the instrument for which it was composed. He includes quotes from primary sources, about 100 musical examples, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Reference and Research Book News

In a little over 100 pages Mark Kroll distils the essence of a long and distinguished career as a performer and teacher of the harpsichord....If you play the harpsichord, this book will be an invaluable companion by the keyboard; if you prefer to play early music on the modern piano, it will improve and inform your performances immeasurably.

Early Music Today

...a useful contribution to the literature on harpsichord pedagogy....this book offers valuable insights for achieving expression at the harpsichord....Teachers and performers alike will welcome this book....In elucidating the most important facets of playing the harpsichord with expression, Mark Kroll succeeds admirably.

Early Keyboard Journal

An experienced teacher and an impressive harpsichordist, anything Mark Kroll undertakes demands respect. His book certainly does that....The book is eminently practical and easy to understand....All in all an impressive achievement.

Early Music Review

The title of this volume is particularly important; some harpsichord tutors for experienced musicians take a scholarly approach, providing hundreds of pages of background information. Kroll's purpose is to address one of the main frustration of the transitional player - flummoxed by the harpsichord's uniformity of sound, they don't know how to make the instrument sing....Kroll wants to make clear that there is more to expression that manipulating rhythm and registration and the use of 'supposedly authentic performance practice.'...Kroll has plenty of teaching and performance experience as well as a tangy, no-nonsense writing style. As a non-harpsichordist, I really enjoyed his take on what to tell present-day performers who want to venture into the past.

Early Music America

Kroll...presents a precise, user-friendly manual both for those with experience on the harpsichord and for pianists and organists who love the repertoire and want to play it on the instrument for which it was composed. He includes quotes from primary sources, about 100 musical examples, and a comprehensive bibliography.--Reference and Research Book News

An experienced teacher and an impressive harpsichordist, anything Mark Kroll undertakes demands respect. His book certainly does that....The book is eminently practical and easy to understand....All in all an impressive achievement.--Early Music Review

The title of this volume is particularly important; some harpsichord tutors for experienced musicians take a scholarly approach, providing hundreds of pages of background information. Kroll's purpose is to address one of the main frustration of the transitional player - flummoxed by the harpsichord's uniformity of sound, they don't know how to make the instrument sing....Kroll wants to make clear that there is more to expression that manipulating rhythm and registration and the use of 'supposedly authentic performance practice.'...Kroll has plenty of teaching and performance experience as well as a tangy, no-nonsense writing style. As a non-harpsichordist, I really enjoyed his take on what to tell present-day performers who want to venture into the past.--Early Music America

From the Publisher