Concerto in D for Harpsichord and Chamber Ensemble - (2021)   

   

The idea of a work for harpsichord as solo instrument in a small ensemble has appealed to many, with new repertoire written throughout the 20th century, among them composers Poulenc, de Falla and Górecki. This work employs a lone snare drum and celesta plus string ensemble against the solo harpsichord.

 

This concerto in seven distinct movements, rather like a partita, surveys the domains on D, the modal Dorian, minor and major. It opens in D Dorian with an allegretto for tutti.

 

 

The following adagio section continues in the Dorian as the harpsichord alternates phrase with divisi violins.

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Thereafter, a presto fugue in D major breaks with the modal domain, as the solo harpsichord begins with a first fugue statement. The first answer is also in D with the first violins.

 

 

Then, the fugue cedes to a lyrical andante in D minor, with the support of the strings, first the higher and then lower colors are heard.

 

 

A canon for four voices at intervals of two measures follows in D minor, energetic and beginning with strings alone.

 

An adagio breaks the mood, reflective and gentle as the harpsichord and celesta make their duet, which in turn is followed by yet another allegro fugue, now in the Dorian domain again..

 

The Dorian gives way to the harmonic minor as the fugue progresses, its subject altered by the harmonic minor domain being altered.

 

 

Finally, the fugue with clusters in the solo harpsichord breaks into the major domain, and continues through to the coda and finale, a "non ritardando" ending the piece, as the lone harpsichord lingers after the final percussive note in the accompanying ensemble..

 

 

52 pages, circa 19' 30" - an MP3 emulation of the work is here: 

 

The score and parts are available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this score.

 

Concerto in D for Harpsichord and Chamber Ensemble

Full score

 

Harpsichord