A History of the Harpsichord + CD

by Edward L. Kottick

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 six 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 CD
includes 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.

Genres: Music

576 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Allen Garvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the $75 price tag! A very comprehensive volume detailing the earliest known origins of the harpsichord, to the schools of building in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, and detailed information on the revival in the 20th. This is not a book about the repertoire of the instrument; it concerns the construction of the instrument. But it's still very interesting, pulling information from the latest scholarship, from extant instruments, from iconographical and literary sources. And it's written in a highly engaging manner, with many black & white photos and several high quality color plates of notable instruments.