L'Art De Toucher Le Clavecin. The Art of Playing the Harpsichord (French and English Edition) [Paperback] Review

After years of choral and organ training and experience, I'm teaching myself to play the harpsichord (a modern, brand new to the market Roland digital). I began by building a library (mostly free, I hoped initially) via good professor Google. During my research I found a 'true' copy of this Couperin work for free download. The file presented a series of huge obstacles to my understanding...not the least of which was its having been written in French. In addition, the terminology and concepts were Couperin's or from his time and I was clueless as to what he meant. This beautifully edited and produced book by Margery Halford lets Couperin speak to me. French and English text are side by side in a face large enough for these older eyes to read. Musical examples are in bold and gray so one can easily compare what was written with how it likely should be played. There are copious notes and editorial comments. Download the original if you'd just like to have it. But,I'd guess you will use this wonderful book as an important foundation to Couperin and the ideas he brought the world.

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Product Description:
An important 18th-century instruction book, Couperin's The Art of Playing the Harpsichord contains valuable information on technique, fingering, phrasing, ornamentation and keyboard performance style. Halford's scholarly introduction includes a biographical sketch of the composer, a thorough discussion of French Baroque ornamentation and a useful summary of Couperin's style. The eight preludes used by Couperin to illustrate his approach are musical gems rarely found in other collections.

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A Guide to the Harpsichord [Paperback] Review

Ann Bond has written an outstanding introduction to the many aspects of the Harpsichord.Her main audience is existing keyboard players coming to the Harpsichord though as a Classical Guitarist I found this book to be immensely useful.
While Ann Bond is clearly hugely knowledgeable about her subject she never allows too much information to get in the way of putting her key points across in an informative and well-reasoned manner.The book is very readable and her style and enthusiasm mean that reading this book is enjoyable throughout.
Chapters deal with the range of subjects which those coming fresh to the Harpsichord need to confront.These include issues of the instrument itself such as maintenance and how acquire, key differences with the piano especially regarding fingering, an overview of different styels of instruments and music as well as a very useful summary of the main Harpsichord repertoire including a listing of Bachs Harpsichord music.In addition there are sections on Figured Bass and how to play with other musicians.
In taking up this instrument I have found answers to all of the questions I have had and the advice has been thoroughly practical.
Indispensable to anyone interested in playing the Harpsichord.

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Product Description:
This practical guide treats the mechanics and evolution of the instrument and offers a survey of its literature. The author discusses touch and technique, including articulation and fingering, and the issues involved in historical performance practices. She also provides suggestions on selecting and maintaining a harpsichord.

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Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas and Overture in French Style (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

The book was a good condition and delivery time was
reasonably quick.
I'd order more if delivery charge wasn't so high.
If I purchase several books at a time, will I be able to save on delivery fee?

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Product Description:
Newly engraved edition of the Six Partitas and French Overture for piano.

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The Well-Tempered Clavier: Books I and II, Complete [Paperback] Review

Another incredible bargain from Dover. Although I think their edition of the Beethoven complete string quartets (in a single volume!) is probably the best buy in all of music, this edition of The Well Tempered Clavier is a strong competitor. (If only it had included The Art of Fugue!) This is the edition I recommend for my students because of the clarity, absence of artificial or misleading editorial markings, ease of page turns, and cost. It is not perfect; what edition EVER is--in this case, one of my quibbles is that of all the minor key fugues, only ONE (g# minor) ends without a piccardy (raised) third--it simply must be an oversight, and interestingly the accidental already present in the key signature is repeated unnecessarily. Surely B natural should have been B sharp in the final measure. Regardless of the slight problems, this is the single best tool to learn Baroque counterpoint in general and fugue specifically. No textbook I know of is capable of demonstrating the fluidity of form, nor describing the sophistication of melodic and contrapuntal writing that Bach employs. Every book I know of oversimplifies or even avoids the issues that Bach so admirably handles. The answers are here, in the music, not in a text. Absolutely invaluable for the serious music student.

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Product Description:
All 48 preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys. Authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft edition. Explanation of ornaments in English, tempo indications, music corrections.


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Keyboard Works [Paperback] Review

This is a great compilation of the keyboard music of Purcell.The book includes works that are both authentic and non-authentic by the composer.It is worth mentioning that this is not a complete collection of the composer's keyboard works.My only criticism is that the ink is a little blurry on the page.Dover editions tend to be inconsistent in their quality of printing, since some editions are printed very clearly, while others are quite blurry and have a faded appearance.Overall, this is good edition for the price.

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Product Description:
Near-complete collection of great English composer's keyboard compositions, including the eight suites, the core of his keyboard works. Also included are many miscellaneous one-movement pieces: airs, trumpet tunes (for harpsichord solo), grounds, preludes, dances, etc. Edited with a preface by noted music scholar William Barclay Squire.


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