Hi all,
Our harpsichord had its debut concert on June 7th - one of the most memorable nights of my life. It's the first time I've ever heard one of my instruments played in concert, by a fabulous musician and harpsichordist, Dr. John O'Brien. Here's a brief bio.
Thanks to Bas and Steve and who knows who else, these files were able to be uploaded. If you're using IE you should have no problem playing the files. If you use Firefox, you may get a window asking you to download a plug-in. Don't! At the bottom of the window you will see this:
Here are the sound files. The tracks numbered in red will be somewhat more interesting to those of you whose musical tastes don't include harpsichord music.
Till next time,
Ernie
Our harpsichord had its debut concert on June 7th - one of the most memorable nights of my life. It's the first time I've ever heard one of my instruments played in concert, by a fabulous musician and harpsichordist, Dr. John O'Brien. Here's a brief bio.
John O'Brien was born into a musical family. He studied piano with his father from the age of five until graduating from high school. While in high school he also studied violin, flute, and later harp. He began his undergraduate studies as a double major in violin and piano performance, studying violin with Robert Gerle and piano with William Masselos. He continued his college studies with John Perry. In 1989, Dr. O'Brien was awarded the DMA in accompanying from the University of Southern California. There he studied with Gwendolyn Koldofsy and Jean Barr. While at USC he also studied organ with Cherry Rhodes and harpsichord with Malcolm Hamilton. Dr. O'Brien has been on the faculty of East Carolina University since 1985. He has been the Professor of Accompanying, Chairperson of the Department of Vocal Studies, and Director of the ECU Opera Theatre. Currently he teaches group piano, harpsichord, and directs the Early Music Ensemble. Dr. O'Brien is also Organist/Choirmaster at the First Presbyterian Church in Kinston, N.C. and he is conductor of the Eastern Youth Orchestra.
John played 13 pieces written for the harpsichord. My next door neighbor, who is a recording engineer, digitally recorded the concert on some really state-of-the-art equipment. If your curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to listen to the concert (or parts of it) please hook your computer up to some speakers or use headphones. You will get absolutely no feel for the sound of the harpsichord using the computer's speakers.
Thanks to Bas and Steve and who knows who else, these files were able to be uploaded. If you're using IE you should have no problem playing the files. If you use Firefox, you may get a window asking you to download a plug-in. Don't! At the bottom of the window you will see this:
Just click on this link and select "Open". The files will play on your default player (probably Media Player)
Here are the sound files. The tracks numbered in red will be somewhat more interesting to those of you whose musical tastes don't include harpsichord music.
1. Sonata in C Major (G 59) George Frideric Handel
2. Prelude and Fuge in c minor (WTC 1)[FONT="] J. S. Bach
[/FONT] 3. Two Preludes from the Clavier-Buechlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1720) J. S. Bach
4. Prelude in e minor BWV 855a J. S. Bach
5.Prelude in E Major BWV 854/1 J. S. Bach
6. Prelude and Fuge in d minor (WTC II) J. S. Bach
7. From the Sixieme Ordre Francois Couperin
8. Les Moissonneurs (The Harvesters) Francois Couperin
9. Les Langueurs Tendres (The tender Downcasts) Francois Couperin
10. Les Baricades Misterieuses Francois Couperin
11. Sonata in G Major K 391 G.F. Handel
12. Sonata in Bb Major K 440 G.F. Handel
13. Sonata in C Major K 159 G.F. Handel
And with this, we'll close the Harpsichord Project. Thank you all for your many kind comments. I hope I've been able to bring something "a little different" to North Carolina Woodworker. It's been my pleasure!2. Prelude and Fuge in c minor (WTC 1)[FONT="] J. S. Bach
[/FONT] 3. Two Preludes from the Clavier-Buechlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1720) J. S. Bach
4. Prelude in e minor BWV 855a J. S. Bach
5.Prelude in E Major BWV 854/1 J. S. Bach
6. Prelude and Fuge in d minor (WTC II) J. S. Bach
7. From the Sixieme Ordre Francois Couperin
8. Les Moissonneurs (The Harvesters) Francois Couperin
9. Les Langueurs Tendres (The tender Downcasts) Francois Couperin
10. Les Baricades Misterieuses Francois Couperin
11. Sonata in G Major K 391 G.F. Handel
12. Sonata in Bb Major K 440 G.F. Handel
13. Sonata in C Major K 159 G.F. Handel
Till next time,
Ernie