The Contemporary Harpsichord

Robert Starer (Composer), Peter Child (Composer), Ronald Caltabiano (Composer), Alvin Elliot Singleton (Composer), Gunther Schuller (Composer), Theodor Antoniou (Composer), Alan Hovhaness (Composer), Mark Kroll (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mark Kroll
• Composer: Robert Starer, Peter Child, Ronald Caltabiano, Alvin Elliot Singleton, Gunther Schuller, et al.
• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Albany Records
• ASIN: B00029LN4Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #760,009 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Seven Faces of Fernando

2. Fantasia

3. Fanfares for Solo Harpsichord

4. Le tombeau du petit prince

5. Fantasia Impromptu

6. Suite for Violin and Harpsichord

7. Duet for Violin and Harpsichord

Editorial Reviews

Mark Kroll writes: "Composers began writing new music for the harpsichord almost as soon as the instrument was rescued from extinction at the end of the 19th century. In fact, their contributions have played an important role in returning the harpsichord to its rightful place in the musical mainstream. The number of compositions has grown dramatically since those early days – and so has the quality. Each new work seems to exploit the unique sonorities of the instrument with ever increasing skill and sensitivity, and the contemporary repertoire now features excellent harpsichord music by almost every great composer of our time. American composers have been particularly enthusiastic advocates for the instrument. Six of them are represented on my first CD of contemporary American harpsichord music for Albany Records (TROY 457). This recording continues my exploration and support of this repertoire, and features some of the most exciting new contributions to the genre. All except the Hovhaness have been written in the last 25 years, and three belong to the first harpsichord pieces of the 21st century.