Playing the Harpsichord Expressively: A Practical and Historical Guide [Paperback]

Mark Kroll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2004

The art of expressive harpsichord playing was lost when the instrument was replaced by the piano in the nineteenth century. Despite the great strides in harpsichord performance and building made during the last 100 years, the full expressive potential of the instrument has not yet been realized, or sometimes even acknowledged by professionals or amateurs. This book reveals the depth of expression that is possible on the harpsichord, and teaches the performer how to achieve it.

Previous books devoted to playing the instrument have either been written for amateurs and beginners with little or no experience on the harpsichord, or they take a scholarly approach. This resource is written with a different goal in mind: teaching the art of expressive harpsichord playing to those who have had experience on the instrument, and also to pianists and organists who love the repertoire, and want to play it on the keyboard instrument for which it was composed.

Presented together with quotes from the most important primary sources on the instrument, the book contains more than 100 musical examples in an easily-accessible format and one of the most comprehensive bibliographies available.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kroll...presents a precise, user-friendly manual both for those with experience on the harpsichord and for pianists and organists who love the repertoire and want to play it on the instrument for which it was composed. He includes quotes from primary sources, about 100 musical examples, and a comprehensive bibliography. (Reference & Research Book News )

An experienced teacher and an impressive harpsichordist, anything Mark Kroll undertakes demands respect. His book certainly does that....The book is eminently practical and easy to understand....All in all an impressive achievement. (Early Music Review )

The title of this volume is particularly important; some harpsichord tutors for experienced musicians take a scholarly approach, providing hundreds of pages of background information. Kroll's purpose is to address one of the main frustration of the transitional player - flummoxed by the harpsichord's uniformity of sound, they don't know how to make the instrument sing....Kroll wants to make clear that there is more to expression that manipulating rhythm and registration and the use of 'supposedly authentic performance practice.'...Kroll has plenty of teaching and performance experience as well as a tangy, no-nonsense writing style. As a non-harpsichordist, I really enjoyed his take on what to tell present-day performers who want to venture into the past. (Early Music America )

...a useful contribution to the literature on harpsichord pedagogy....this book offers valuable insights for achieving expression at the harpsichord....Teachers and performers alike will welcome this book....In elucidating the most important facets of playing the harpsichord with expression, Mark Kroll succeeds admirably. (Early Keyboard Journal )

In a little over 100 pages Mark Kroll distils the essence of a long and distinguished career as a performer and teacher of the harpsichord....If you play the harpsichord, this book will be an invaluable companion by the keyboard; if you prefer to play early music on the modern piano, it will improve and inform your performances immeasurably. (Early Music Today )

About the Author

Mark Kroll, recognized as one of the world's leading harpsichordists and fortepianists, has won critical acclaim for his virtuosity and expressive playing during a career that has spanned more than three decades. A noted authority on period instruments and performance practice, he has written on a wide range of subjects, given master classes and courses throughout the country and Europe, and served for 25 years as Professor of Harpsichord and Fortepiano and Chairman of the Department of Historical Performance at Boston University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (October 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081085032X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810850323
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,837,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expert Advice from a Harpsichord Expert, February 5, 2008

By 

S. Moss-Ward (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playing the Harpsichord Expressively: A Practical and Historical Guide (Paperback)

This is one of the most interesting books for the novice harpsichordist, covering basic and more sophisticated technical issues. Absent a real live teacher, it's a useful introduction that fills in gaps left by earlier manuals.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely useful book, November 15, 2011

By 

Chan Sing Chi Vincent - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playing the Harpsichord Expressively: A Practical and Historical Guide (Paperback)

I must say thank you to the author Mr. Mark Kroll, who wrote this very useful book.

He had explained very clearly points about harpsichord techniques, followed by relevant practical technique exercise so you can follow to drill further. Then he will also quote relevant historical treatise for further reference.

There are rare book talking about harpsichord technique and I'm so glad to have this book now. Especially those exercies regarding the articulation technique, I followed to practice daily, it had improved my technique gradually.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!!!! Every Harpsichordist NEEDS this book!, March 10, 2006

By 

John Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing the Harpsichord Expressively: A Practical and Historical Guide (Paperback)

This book is the most valuble method book i've ever read. It has helped me sooo much since I bought it and i've only had it for a month. Mark Kroll needs to win an award for this book. Every Harpsichordist NEEDS this book. It's mandatory that any harpsichordist that comes across this book gets it :-).