Zuckermann single-manual Flemish IV

“The sound of a harpsichord – two skeletons copulating on a tin roof in a thunderstorm”.

Sir Thomas Beecham

The piano before the piano, the harpsichord underwent a major revival in the early 20th century behind the driving force of Wanda Landowska.  It underwent a second and more radical revival during the 1960s psychedelic music era, and its use in modern music has continued to grow.

“You play Bach your way, and I’ll play him his way.”

Wanda Landowska

First revival

Landowska, Bach – Italian Concerto, BWV 971

Landowska, Bach – Prelude & Fugue No. 21, BWV 866

Dressed like she was about to steal some Russian children, but she could play.

Reverberations

Iturbi, Rameau – Rigaudon, Musette and Tambourin

Jose Iturbi had tiny, tiny hands, quite unlike my own meat mitts.

For those not familiar with Glenn Gould, yes, he’s humming and rocking throughout, and no, that’s not normal.  As George Szell put it, “That nut’s a genius”.

Second revival

Jimi Hendrix, Burning of the Midnight Lamp

The Zombies,  I Want Her, She Wants Me

The Zombies, Imagine The Swan

The Beatles, Because

Donovan, Bert’s Blues

Hendrix and the Beatles both used the same wonderful Baldwin electric; I don’t know what the Zombies or Donovan used.

Today

Tori Amos, Blood Roses

A 250-year-old harpsichord live … did they cheer like that in the 1700s?  Won a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music when she was only 5; kicked out by age 11.

Emilie Autumn, Bach – Largo

A violin virtuoso and performance artist.  Left the Indiana University School of Music due to disagreements over her choices in clothing and music.

Isobel Campbell, Amorino

Gorgeous.

Joanna Newsom, Peach Plum Pear

A very acquired taste.  Appalachia meets the harpsichord.

Bjork, Scary

Bjork, Unravel

Bjork, Venus as a Boy

Bjork loves the harpsichord (and clavichord).

No one you or anyone else knows

Radio Spectacular!!!, Waltz Of The Fuzzy Peach King

Very much in the spirit of Danny Elfman.

Kidnap one of the Beastie Boys.  Take him to Brazil, and repeatedly hit him in the head with a brick until he’s both brain-damaged and an amnesiac.  Spend years teaching him Portugese.  Now dress him in a powdered wig, a golden diaper, and a leopard-print cape.  Finally, give him a $3 budget and force him to make a music video.

The result is The Archduke, Pimp from the 18th Century.

You have been warned; some things which are seen cannot be unseen.

Wait until 2:08 for the harpsichord.

Self Portrait, On the Road to Tijuana

edition of 10

The theme song of the original, however, was great!