A Guide to the Harpsichord by Ann Bond
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Book Reviews of A Guide to the Harpsichord
Book Review: Ready for Rameau!
Summary: 5 Stars
Having inherited a rather valuable Baroque-era French harpsichord, I found myself unable to find an adequate tutor. While I am accomplished on the pianoforte, the harpsichord is a different beast entire.
Ann Bond's guide is easy to follow and will have the novice attaining fluency at a rapid pace.
I've been practicing daily and my parlor is alive with wonderful Baroque music.
I started with Bach and am moving towards Couperin and Rameau.
Splendid!
Book Review: A brief and comprehensive overview for the listener
Summary: 4 Stars
A helpful listeners guide
Most books about harpsichord are for builders and players of the instruments. A reader gets lost within a view pages in technical details and very detailed matters of ornamentation. I am always amazed why there is so little attention for listeners of harpsichord music. A brief history of the instrument, the main composers and schools, the performers and recordings are hardly the core of any study.
This book by Bond is no exception in that line. It is intended for the player who is about to buy a harpsichord. Modern performers are hardly mentioned at all. Recordings are not quoted. And there is no taste for modern harpsichord. Still the book covers a lot of information for listeners to get a better understanding of the music because all the important issues are covered in a way that English has not to be your native tongue to understand it fully. Especially the chapters concerning how to play to get an aimed effect are revealing. Your ears are retuned in a pleasant way. The book is cheap, easy to read and without consuming details still covering all the major issues. In short recommended for the listener although we have to wait for the ultimate listeners guide yet.
Book Review: Not really a guide
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book because I just inherited my first harpsichord and I thought this book would answer some questions I had after receiving it. The book spends the first few chapters going over the history, then one chapter on how it works with very few illustrations, and then the rest of the book is devoted entirely to playing the instrument. I had hoped to see more illustrations and a glossary of terms but was disappointed upon reading it. I would recommend this book to someone interested in a brief overview of the instrument and mostly learning to play, but not for someone who want to better understand the instruments inner workings.