Glad you could make it!  Let me take you on a personal tour of these extraordinary historical keyboard instruments!


J.S. Bach, Handel, and Domenico Scarlatti were all born in 1685, though not in the same place, nor in the same time of day, nor in the same hospital, nor did they have the same "au pair" or diaper service. Some of the most fabulous art and music of all time was created in that era, which was dubbed the Baroque.

Handel wrote operas and oratorios in which the harpsichordist was the conductor (maestro al cembalo), as well as concerti and solo works. Bach wrote so much incredible solo harpsichord music that you could take pocket scores and an instrument to a desert island and never be bored for the rest of your life!  Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian who ran away from home in mid-life to Spain wrote some 550 amazing binary sonatas of virtuosity and gymnastics unequaled until, possibly, Liszt.  Appetizer, main course and dessert.  Need I say more? These are just a few of the composers that you can have a ball playing or listening to; the music and the medium are electrifying. Scarlatti's humble student, Padre Antonio Soler wrote quite a few of his own sonatas, of which I will play a free sample for you.

Popular interest in harpsichord music was revived in this century by the energetic, outspoken, and quite famous Wanda Landowska.  Partly as a result of her efforts in bringing the instrument back into the mainstream, a number of works have been written by 20th century composers.

The Hot Harpsichord Information Center is brought to you by Barbara Cadranel, world renowned performer of Bach, Scarlatti, Soler, and new contemporary works.  In addition to making recordings, she is a frequent radio and television guest and starred in "The Scarlatti Birthday Party" -- the first classical music video in the "rock" style.

Barbara Cadranel

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