4 Preludes for Harpsichord, for Baroque Trio

Baroque violin, viola da gamba or 'cello, and harpsichord

2008, 10 minutes

  1. Substitutions
  2. Unmeasured
  3. Not yr mom's continuo playing
  4. Rolling

The original work, for harpsichord alone, was conceived as a set of relatively simple technical studies, covering a range of peculiarly harpsichordy techniques. The trio version adds a healthy touch of virtuosity to the mix.

  1. Substitutions: usually, one changes fingers when repeating many notes of the same pitch or when repeating the same multi-note figure
  2. Unmeasured: a 17th-century form particularly associated with the harpsichord, in which the composer indicates what notes to play, whether a note should be held or immediately released, and the approximate phrasing, but the player decides how long the notes should last (this trio version becomes an exercise in group improvisation)
  3. Not yr mom's continuo playing: (no comment)
  4. Rolling: harpsichordists usually roll multi-note chords rather than playing them as a block

The piece was arranged for trio at the request of Flying Forms.

Recordings

4 Preludes for Harpsichord, for Baroque trio was recorded by Flying Forms on their album, New Music for Old Instruments, which is available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Scores

If you are interested in a score and parts for the 4 Preludes, please contact Nissim.

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Performances

  • February 10, 2008: Substitutions and Rolling were premiered by Flying Forms at the Staller Center for the Performing Arts in Stony Brook, NY, as part of SUNY-Stony Brook's "Find a Composer" series.
  • November 12, 2010: Substitutions and Rolling performed by by Flying Forms and Tulio Rondon at Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul, MN.
  • January 21, 2011: Substitutions and Rolling performed by by Flying Forms and Tulio Rondon at First United Methodist Church, St. Paul, MN.
  • June 29, 2012: Three movements (Substitutions, Unmeasured, and Rolling) performed by Flying Forms and Tulio Rondon at The Baroque Room, St. Paul, MN.

Broadcasts

 
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