The album includes the premiere recording of Bluesinuum by Stéphane Gassot, a contemporary piece commissioned by Justin Taylor.
Composition History
Wanda Landowska, a pioneering harpsichordist, declared in 1923 that composers should write for the harpsichord, leading to Manuel de Falla composing his Harpsichord Concerto for her.
Cultural Impact
The inclusion of Scott Joplin's ragtime on the harpsichord is a nod to Elisabeth Chojnacka, a Polish harpsichordist known for her modern harpsichord playing and an album dedicated to Joplin.
Instruments
The recording uses a single harpsichord built in the 1970s by Anthony Sidey, a hybrid model combining features of Pleyel harpsichords and historical instruments.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Justin Taylor, the harpsichordist, aims to showcase the harpsichord's role in 20th-century modern music, challenging its common association solely with the Baroque period.
Historical Context
The harpsichord, though losing its prominence after the French Revolution, saw a resurgence in the early 20th century, inspiring new compositions.
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