Modern Harpsichord Music

A discography and bibliography of music written for the modern harpsichord, this volume features more than 800 mass-marketed recordings of some 600 compositions written after the revival of the harpsichord (ca. 1889). Also included is information pertaining to performances of compositions arranged for harpsichord. Although the modern harpsichord is a much greater part of 20th-century music than one might imagine, it is about to become a relic because of its historical incorrectness. This will leave sound recordings as the prime medium of information for contemporary compositions, most of which cannot be adequately performed on any other instrument. The modern harpsichord consists of two manuals with at least four stops – one 4-foot, two 8-foot, and one 16-foot – operated by pedals. This type of harpsichord (except for the 16-foot stop) has been in existence since 1889. The new design, popular for many years, has fallen on hard times due to its lack of resonance and its historically inaccurate disposition of stops. Because it may well become an instrument of the past, this volume, which documents music composed specifically for the modern harpsichord, is especially valuable.

Author Biography

MARTIN ELSTE is curator in the Museum of Musical Instruments, State Institute for Music Research, Berlin, and is chair of the Discography Committee of the International Association of Sound Archives. His books include Internationale Heinrich Schutz Diskographie (1972), Bachs Kunst der Fuge auf Schallplatten (1981), 100 Jahre Berliner Musikinstrumenten-Museum (1988), Kleines Tontrager-Lexikon (1989), and Kielklaviere: Cembali, Spinette, Virginale(1991). Elste also writes record reviews and professional articles.