This book gives a practical method for playing the harpsichord in a way that was lost when the instrument was marginalized by the piano in the 19th century. Since a thorough knowledge of historical performance practice is such an important aspect of playing this repertoire, excerpts from relevant primary sources are given at the end of many of the lessons.

A History of the Harpsichord brings together for the first time more than 200 photographs, illustrations, and drawings of harpsichords in public museums and private collections throughout Europe the United States. Edward L. Kottick draws on his extensive technical knowledge and experience as a harpsichord builder to detail the changing design, structure, and acoustics of the instrument over seven centuries.Based on painstaking research, the book considers the place of the instrument in society and vividly describes the market forces that brought about changes in its form, decoration, and cultural importance. An accompanying CDincludes performances on several of the historical instruments described and illustrated in the volume, including a 1580 spinett virginal by Martin van der Biest and instruments built by Ruckers and Pleyel. The volume devotes attention to American harpsichord design as well as to present and future uses of the instrument.Also of interestThe History of the PianoforteA Documentary in SoundEva Badura-Skoda0-253-33582-5 HB £37.95

Elena discovers a magical book in her grandmother's attic, The Harpsichord Diaries. Transported through five centuries, she meets eccentric talking harpsichords that bring music and history to life. Internationally acclaimed harpsichordist Elaine Funaro teamed up with her twins, professional theater director Eric Love and award-winning animator Andrea Love to create this unique musical journey.

An important 18th-century instruction book, Couperin's The Art of Playing the Harpsichord contains valuable information on technique, fingering, phrasing, ornamentation and keyboard performance style. Halford's scholarly introduction includes a biographical sketch of the composer, a thorough discussion of French Baroque ornamentation and a useful summary of Couperin's style. The eight preludes used by Couperin to illustrate his approach are musical gems rarely found in other collections.

Yonit Lea Kosovske surveys early music and writing about keyboard performance with the aim of facilitating the development of an expressive tone in the modern player. Reviewing the work of the pedagogues and performers of the late Renaissance through the late Baroque, she gives special emphasis to la douceur du toucher or a gentle touch. Other topics addressed include posture, early pedagogy, exercises, articulation, and fingering patterns. Illustrated with musical examples as well as photos of the author at the keyboard, Historical Harpsichord Technique can be used for individual or group lessons and for amateurs and professionals.

"Jean Nandi's delightful, informative, & user-friendly 'how-to' book, Starting on the Harpsichord, fills a twenty-year need for an effective tutor designed for the individual whose first musical experience is on a harpsichord. We are fortunate that this first book of its genre is so engaging, clear, & pedagogically imaginative. The book includes charming black & white drawings by Thomas Gordon Smith, an architect, & Mark Farmer, both experienced harpsichord players. The writing style is good-natured, lucid, & conversational throughout. Hand position & rhythmic interpretation all proceed in order of importance, including little examples written by Leonie Jenkins, an orthopedist & harpsichordist who, like the artists listed above, studied with Nandi, a twenty-five-year veteran of harpsichord teaching."--Laurette Goldberg, Notes, Music Library Association Quarterly Journal, December, 1990. "I invite you to read the book Starting on the Harpsichord by Jean Nandi...There has never been such a study that outlines in such good detail how to play the harpsichord...A thorough teaching manual. ...Jean's enthusiasm & her love of the harpsichord has inspired me & others to continue playing & enjoying the harpsichord"...Matthew Redsell, Continuo Magazine, 1989-1990.

"Divided into two parts, the book combines Touch at the harpsichord, in part one, with Rhetoric at the keyboard (or, performance practice) in part two. The book is spiral bound and designed for use at the keyboard, with or without a teacher. It features 30 teaching pieces from the Bach/Ricci "Methode ou Receuil de Connaissances elementaires pour le piano forte ou clavecin" of 1786. Also featured are pieces to play by Louis & Francois Couperin, J. S. Bach and Georg Bohm. An appendix of recommended starting pieces follows. If you take the trouble to work with this book at a harpsichord, (especially if you use the recordings) your touch and knowledge of Baroque performance will improve."--Publisher's description.

Covers every aspect of the harpsichord and its music, including composers, genres, national styles, tuning, and the art of harpsichord building.