HISTORY OF HARPSICHORDS
Click here to order this book online
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 and 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 spinet 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. This comprehensive volume will prove
indispensable to harpsichordists, keyboardists, scholars, and early
music enthusiasts alike.
ssorli@gmail.com