
Menu Home Page Bio Fortepiano Clavichord Harpsichord Program Options 2007-08 Programs © 2007, Carol lei Breckenridge	The Harpsichord The harpsichord, majestic instrument of European courts into the 18th century, is a keyboard instrument in which strings are plucked, somewhat like a guitar. Each region of Europe developed a unique style and instrument. The Italian harpsichord, primarily used as a continuo, accompanying instrument, was incisive and bright, necessary for holding together an ensemble. At the opposite pole, the French harpsichord had a dark, resonant tone, generally two manuals, and multiple tonal possibilities. Other regional harpsichords were built to suit the music of the area: Flemish, English, and Iberian. The harpsichord I travel with is a French double-manual instrument, shop-built in 2006 by Zuckermann Harpsichords International. It has a typically warm French sound, ideal for the music of Francois Couperin and other French composers into the 18th century. With a beautiful soundboard painting by Tatyana Nivina, and a maroon interior with black/gold band exterior, the instrument is a treat for both eye and ear. Enter the world of the European courts with programs such as: "A French Feast: Francois Couperin's Descriptive Pieces" "An International Feast: Italian, French, German, and Spanish"
*Carol lei Breckenridge* Music Department Central College Box 6100 Pella IA 50219 USA Phone: 641-628-5105 FAX: 641-628-5395 Email: breckenridgec@central.edu

The Harpsichord

The harpsichord, majestic instrument of European courts into the 18th century, is a keyboard instrument in which strings are plucked, somewhat like a guitar. Each region of Europe developed a unique style and instrument. The Italian harpsichord, primarily used as a continuo, accompanying instrument, was incisive and bright, necessary for holding together an ensemble. At the opposite pole, the French harpsichord had a dark, resonant tone, generally two manuals, and multiple tonal possibilities. Other regional harpsichords were built to suit the music of the area: Flemish, English, and Iberian.

The harpsichord I travel with is a French double-manual instrument, shop-built in 2006 by Zuckermann Harpsichords International. It has a typically warm French sound, ideal for the music of Francois Couperin and other French composers into the 18th century. With a beautiful soundboard painting by Tatyana Nivina, and a maroon interior with black/gold band exterior, the instrument is a treat for both eye and ear.

Enter the world of the European courts with programs such as:

"A French Feast: Francois Couperin's Descriptive Pieces"
"An International Feast: Italian, French, German, and Spanish"

Carol lei Breckenridge
Music Department Central College Box 6100
Pella IA 50219 USA
Phone: 641-628-5105 FAX: 641-628-5395
Email: breckenridgec@central.edu

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The Harpsichord