Every time I hear the Harpsichord on the radio I just stop and listen, no other instrument does that to me. Great job and thank you for sharing your talent.
BWV 891 B flat Minor is a Dark Key with Full of Colors and Light to it... I feel like in Heaven playing this piece on a Harpsichord in the Dark and this adds light to my horizon... Thanks Kathy Roberts for the Interpreting this Wonderful Piece.
I watch and listen to this video often, and I have to say this is so dark and enchanting that I am spellbound. Thank you for keeping the art of harpsichord alive.
Thank you for this, I have listened to this so many times I've lost count and it is possibly the most wholesome performance I have found, it always brings me joy.
What a heavenly performance and gorgeous sounding harpsichord. It is so instructive to see your hands clearly and to observe your beautiful technique. I wish I could see your face! also. The harpsichord appears to be superbly adjusted, in marked contrast to most of the harpsichords I've played, or seen on you tube. Thank you for this inspiring and serene, little piece of joy!!!
Thank you, Kathy. This is what TH-cam is all about - people playing and recording themselves. Your hands are a study in economy of movement, perfect for the harpsichord and maybe some smaller tracker organs of light touch as well. Greetings from NZ.
I'm a huge fan of J.S. Bach and especially of his pieces for clavier; Mrs. Perl, you truly bring this piece alive and I'm certain Bach himself would praise you. You play a damn wicked harpsichord. Rock on. \../
I tune my instrument at one of the Baroque pitches, a=392, which is a whole step down from a=440, which is modern pitch. This can be disorienting to people with so-called "perfect pitch", which is probably learned from the modern piano, and it explains why it sounds like Ab minor to you.
I absolutely love this performance... It was very beautiful and I love the sound of your instrument. I love harpsichord and this one just suits me ear perfectly. I don't know much about how one should sound I don't even play but I love hearing it. and especially you and this instrument
Wonderful and happy new year to you! thank you for sharing this. It was very moving and so beautifully played. I don't know very much about this type of music but I loved hearing and watching it.
You are so right about harpsichord and tracker organ touch, and thank you for noticing. This is exactly what I hoped to show with this video. Greetings from SF.
Hi Cathy, after hearing this inspiring piece that you played so perfectly, I was motivated to learn it. I am sharing it here as a response (although yours is a million times better) this is the best I can do now and striving everyday to play it better and faster. Thanks for the inspiration.
Dear Kathy Perl, This video of yours is one of my favorites of Bach's Harpsichord Music. I am a classical pianist & love harpsichord as well. Thank you & good luck
Thank you for posting. You play wonderfully. I too play, but have a very small virginal and clavichord due to lack of space in my house. (I don't count my Roland C-30, which is a different animal). I really like the sound of your instrument too. It's very warm and sweet. This is unlike many modern harpsichords I've heard, which tend to be rough and quite harsh.
Hi Martha, The reason you hear it in those keys is that my harpsichord is at a=392, and your relationship to pitch is a whole step higher (440), like that of most people. 392 was used by musicians in France during the Baroque period, and my builder built my harpsichord for that pitch. It can also transpose to a=415. You are the first person on youtube to notice that! krp
Very adequate, thoughtful performance! And I liked the fact that you only used one manual, although you have two. Just using the means the music needs, and nothing more. Very good!
@MrZardoz777 I love this last thing you say! I have been working on my "time-feel" my whole life and will continue to do so. This is one of the most interesting things about being a musician!
Hi freezazoid, The top keyboard has its own strings, tuned at the same pitch as the lower one, but plucked in a different place so as to give the notes a different tone quality. The difference is only about two inches, but that is enough to give it a different sound. The top keyboard also has its own set of plectra. They can be operated separately or coupled together to give a more powerful and louder sound. krp
I tune my clavichord to the same pitch and other people have said the same thing! To me everything is relative so even though the instrument is tuned a full full step lower, it's still in b-flat minor irregardless of how it's tuned. Awesome performance by the way! I wish I could give you more than 5 stars. :-)
Actually, A=392 is known as "French pitch" in Baroque times. It was far more common then, and I asked my builder to build my instrument to that pitch because I'm a soloist mainly, and I love the way it sounds. I don't have to tune it "down", but if I want to play with other musicians, I transpose the keyboard up to play at a=415. krp
Part of it is the key of B flat minor... Bach is capable of expressing every emotional state that humans feel, and more! Finally, I love to play sad songs. krp
That was so beautiful. The way your hands command the keyboard in such elegant and controlled fashion. Best of that Bach work I have heard.Lovely sound (Is that after Taskin?) Need to wipe away my tears.
Hi Kathy. Some years ago I used to hear your nice recording of the Allemande from Bach French Suite Nr 4 (which unfortunately I lost it after a computer failure).
Hello! thanks for mentioning the Eb Allemande. My Bach French Suites recording is available through Magnatune.com, or through my website: www.kathyrobertsperl.com
@brycebeverlinII My harpsichord was made for me by John Phillips, of Berkeley, CA in 1987. It is designed after a N.Dumont instrument from 1707 which is now owned by a woman on the East coast of the U.S. I cannot imagine a better instrument for me--it is fantastic, and does whatever I want it to!
krperl7 to pyrrooo: Thank you so much! It has taken me a long time to achieve this technique, and now I try to pass it along to my students. I'm happy that you appreciate it, and give my regards to Oberlin...
They say the piano won over the harpsichord because the harpsichord cannot express sound levels... But clearly bach was born for the harpsichord. This is why I REALLY WANT ONE
@krperl7 I can understand why my organ and piano teacher have been going on about technique since I started because music is not just about playing the right notes but how you play those notes is the most important
Wow! Thanks for pointing out the error in the key. You're right, and I can't believe I didn't catch it. We'll fix that soon--I appreciate your response to the video--thanks!
@MrAganger the upper manual plucks the strings at a different position (or is it a different set of strings?) which gives the sound a different color, and some harpsichords have stops which can make the lower manual pluck both at once, and another which mutes the upper manual, making it sound a bit like a lute. they may have other features, but i'm not entirely sure as I've not looked into it too terribly deeply :D harpsichords are my favorite instrument nonetheless, i want one so badly
Hi rh, No, my harpsichord is after a 1707 Dumont, built by John Phillips here in California. I can't imagine having a better instrument! Thanks for your complimentary words.
dear friedpez, Thanks for your comment. My instrument is made by John Phillips (1987), after a Nicholas Dumont (1707) French Double. The builder is one of the best anywhere, and lives in Berkeley, CA. I commissioned it.
It's ironic that you, who recording live performances (and known as a performer), would be accused of faking your TH-cam videos, while I, a complete unknown who almost never performs in public, have not had people say that I've faked the video in my TH-cam movies --- even though I have! Lovely playing.
Thanks for putting some feeling into a harpsichord music. It sounds lovely. So many mechanical harpsichordist but you play fabulous and with decorum and style. I'm making an MP4 file of this playing. And who is this lady?
I just heard this piece and liked very much how you played it. I noted Samantha D's comments on tempo and agree that tempo is part of what made your interpretation good in my estimation. On a different subject, after I checked your site, I noticed the 'technical " part and found that interesting. Did you by any chance know the late Andrew di Masi, of Manhattan, who used to have a similar position here?
i have just bought an early 1900 piano and just learning to play it. i have just learned what an harpsichord is and just have one question. i have just watched you play this piece beautifully so you must have plenty of practice therefore i ask you. what are the upper keys for?
That makes sense now. i admit, when i viewed this i just went by sound, i didnt bother to tilt my head sideways to actually see youre playing in Bb minor. Lo siento!
Hello! they are not painted black, but made of ebony wood. the black naturals and white accidentals were preferred by the french builders of the 18th C., and my harpsichord follows that style.
@3NUNS But people have researched for years into historical playing and now know nearly every detail about the performance of baroque music and so recordings are 99% accurate of bach's playing style
to lancemmyers: Thanx for your comments, however I must correct a couple of things: I voiced this harpsi myself, and it is lightly voiced, I'd say. This is preferable for playing French ornaments, in fact, it's the only way! If you hear "aggressiveness", it is a VERY resonant instrument in a live room--not the voicing itself. Also, Kevin Fryer has NEVER been a business partner with John Philips! I agree that they both build great and different instruments--all with a natural resonance. KRP
breaking a chord or interval is interpretive and very natural on the harpsichord, guitar and harp--all of which are related. The edition of music one is playing from is a good sketch, but not to be taken absolutely literally in every respect. If that were the case, every interpretation would be identical! KRP
hello! thank you for your comments and for asking "who is this lady?" I invite you to go to my website to discover more information about me and my philosophy about music, harpsichord and Bach. sincerely, Kathy
@3NUNS from the writings of near contemporary writers and from jsb's own style of rhythmic filling out of the score and the performance standards of the time i doubt whether and doubt very much that jsb used rubato
@Imad9494 ROTFLMAO!!! Of course not! Piano works by hitting the strings with little hammers and harpsichord by plucking the strings. It acts very much as the fret on the guitar. Hope that helped to clarify things
The best performance of this Prelude I've ever heard.
8 years later, it is still the best performance of this prelude I've ever heard.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I can feel every note, chord, & trill!
Every time I hear the Harpsichord on the radio I just stop and listen, no other instrument does that to me. Great job and thank you for sharing your talent.
BWV 891 B flat Minor is a Dark Key with Full of Colors and Light to it... I feel like in Heaven playing this piece on a Harpsichord in the Dark and this adds light to my horizon... Thanks Kathy Roberts for the Interpreting this Wonderful Piece.
I watch and listen to this video often, and I have to say this is so dark and enchanting that I am spellbound. Thank you for keeping the art of harpsichord alive.
This gives me great joy...thank you for your comments!
KRP
Thank you! I am grateful that you watch and listen often....Kathy
Thank you for this, I have listened to this so many times I've lost count and it is possibly the most wholesome performance I have found, it always brings me joy.
What an art! Really impressed. Thanks Kathy!
What a heavenly performance and gorgeous sounding harpsichord. It is so instructive to see your hands clearly and to observe your beautiful technique. I wish I could see your face! also. The harpsichord appears to be superbly adjusted, in marked contrast to most of the harpsichords I've played, or seen on you tube. Thank you for this inspiring and serene, little piece of joy!!!
Thank you, Kathy. This is what TH-cam is all about - people playing and recording themselves. Your hands are a study in economy of movement, perfect for the harpsichord and maybe some smaller tracker organs of light touch as well. Greetings from NZ.
I'm a huge fan of J.S. Bach and especially of his pieces for clavier; Mrs. Perl, you truly bring this piece alive and I'm certain Bach himself would praise you. You play a damn wicked harpsichord. Rock on. \../
Thank you so much!
K
I've been super stressed out and your beautiful playing soothed me. Thanks!
I tune my instrument at one of the Baroque pitches, a=392, which is a whole step down from a=440, which is modern pitch. This can be disorienting to people with so-called "perfect pitch", which is probably learned from the modern piano, and it explains why it sounds like Ab minor to you.
Love your words "So-called perfect pitch" as we all know that "perfect pitch" is a lie!
Great sounding instrument and so beautifully played it was a great joy to hear... I had to add it to my favorites.
Thanks.
Your interpretation and tone are absolutely remarkable...thank you so much for sharing!
It is beautiful, a fantastic instrument with a fascinating sound. And very cleverly played. My most sincere congratulations for you and the luthier.
Beautiful playing of this piece. This was not one Instrament I wanted to learn, but I have always loved it.
excellent.
What a beautiful sound. I love the harpsichord. You played it beautifully, as well.
Simple. I don't know much about music but I love this. So beautiful thanks :) Makes me happy!
Beautiful.
beautiful music. Many thanks from the Netherlands
I didn´t know until now that so much feeling can be expressed in a hapsichord, very good playing and video!
That was so good, thanks. What an aptitude for expression, love your time-feel.
And because of the great performance.
Very heartfelt indeed!
I absolutely love this performance... It was very beautiful and I love the sound of your instrument. I love harpsichord and this one just suits me ear perfectly. I don't know much about how one should sound I don't even play but I love hearing it. and especially you and this instrument
I love the playing, love the sound, love the collor of the keys!!! I really want to paint my keys of my AX-Synth like a Harpsichord!!
Beautiful
Thank you so much
For me, the best performance ever! Of this prelude
Hi Kathy, I absolutely love hearing you play this! Thanks for uploading..I just downloaded the score and will try to learn it.
Wonderful and happy new year to you! thank you for sharing this. It was very moving and so beautifully played. I don't know very much about this type of music but I loved hearing and watching it.
Bach é o maior músico de todos os tempos, insuperável!
Your playing and the beuty of your instrument takes me too heaven! :-D
You are so right about harpsichord and tracker organ touch, and thank you for noticing. This is exactly what I hoped to show with this video. Greetings from SF.
This touched my heart. Thank you.
Very beautiful!!!!!
Hi Cathy, after hearing this inspiring piece that you played so perfectly, I was motivated to learn it. I am sharing it here as a response (although yours is a million times better) this is the best I can do now and striving everyday to play it better and faster. Thanks for the inspiration.
Dear Kathy Perl,
This video of yours is one of my favorites of Bach's Harpsichord Music. I am a classical pianist & love harpsichord as well.
Thank you & good luck
Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate everyone's comments on this video. In gratitude, Kathy
Thank you for posting.
You play wonderfully. I too play, but have a very small virginal and clavichord due to lack of space in my house. (I don't count my Roland C-30, which is a different animal).
I really like the sound of your instrument too. It's very warm and sweet. This is unlike many modern harpsichords I've heard, which tend to be rough and quite harsh.
Hi Martha,
The reason you hear it in those keys is that my harpsichord is at a=392, and your relationship to pitch is a whole step higher (440), like that of most people. 392 was used by musicians in France during the Baroque period, and my builder built my harpsichord for that pitch. It can also transpose to a=415. You are the first person on youtube to notice that! krp
Very adequate, thoughtful performance! And I liked the fact that you only used one manual, although you have two. Just using the means the music needs, and nothing more. Very good!
pure heaven
good playing! thanks!!!
I love how the music sounds on a harpsichord :). You did soo well :)!!!
Magistral, de Excelente Belleza momentánea
@MrZardoz777 I love this last thing you say! I have been working on my "time-feel" my whole life and will continue to do so. This is one of the most interesting things about being a musician!
Hi freezazoid,
The top keyboard has its own strings, tuned at the same pitch as the lower one, but plucked in a different place so as to give the notes a different tone quality. The difference is only about two inches, but that is enough to give it a different sound. The top keyboard also has its own set of plectra. They can be operated separately or coupled together to give a more powerful and louder sound. krp
I tune my clavichord to the same pitch and other people have said the same thing! To me everything is relative so even though the instrument is tuned a full full step lower, it's still in b-flat minor irregardless of how it's tuned.
Awesome performance by the way! I wish I could give you more than 5 stars. :-)
Actually, A=392 is known as "French pitch" in Baroque times. It was far more common then, and I asked my builder to build my instrument to that pitch because I'm a soloist mainly, and I love the way it sounds. I don't have to tune it "down", but if I want to play with other musicians, I transpose the keyboard up to play at a=415.
krp
Part of it is the key of B flat minor... Bach is capable of expressing every emotional state that humans feel, and more! Finally, I love to play sad songs.
krp
That was so beautiful. The way your hands command the keyboard in such elegant and controlled fashion. Best of that Bach work I have heard.Lovely sound (Is that after Taskin?) Need to wipe away my tears.
awesome! wish i could do that.
bello... gracias.
Hi Kathy. Some years ago I used to hear your nice recording of the Allemande from Bach French Suite Nr 4 (which unfortunately I lost it after a computer failure).
Hello! thanks for mentioning the Eb Allemande. My Bach
French Suites recording is available through Magnatune.com, or through my website: www.kathyrobertsperl.com
Very GOod !!
5 stars of course
@Geopholus Thanks so much for writing--I so appreciate your expressions of appreciation!
@brycebeverlinII
My harpsichord was made for me by John Phillips, of Berkeley, CA in 1987. It is designed after a N.Dumont instrument from 1707 which is now owned by a woman on the East coast of the U.S. I cannot imagine a better instrument for me--it is fantastic, and does whatever I want it to!
krperl7 to pyrrooo:
Thank you so much! It has taken me a long time to achieve this technique, and now I try to pass it along to my students. I'm happy that you appreciate it, and give my regards to Oberlin...
They say the piano won over the harpsichord because the harpsichord cannot express sound levels... But clearly bach was born for the harpsichord. This is why I REALLY WANT ONE
beautifull! like this tempo!
5/5
@thesilverbrass Thank you for such a beautiful compliment--it made my day!
@krperl7 I can understand why my organ and piano teacher have been going on about technique since I started because music is not just about playing the right notes but how you play those notes is the most important
Thank you very much for your compliment!
Wow! Thanks for pointing out the error in the key. You're right, and I can't believe I didn't catch it. We'll fix that soon--I appreciate your response to the video--thanks!
yes, it is a French double manual, made by John Phillips, after a 1707 model made by N. Dumont originally.
@MrAganger the upper manual plucks the strings at a different position (or is it a different set of strings?) which gives the sound a different color, and some harpsichords have stops which can make the lower manual pluck both at once, and another which mutes the upper manual, making it sound a bit like a lute. they may have other features, but i'm not entirely sure as I've not looked into it too terribly deeply :D harpsichords are my favorite instrument nonetheless, i want one so badly
Hi rh,
No, my harpsichord is after a 1707 Dumont, built by John Phillips here in California. I can't imagine having a better instrument! Thanks for your complimentary words.
Очень люблю клависин. Спасибо, Кати Перл.
Thank you so much....
K
i want one!!!
@TheJackHarkness Perhaps lmad9494 meant, "is it played the same" -- i.e. tuned the same -- 8-note octaves, 12 keys between like notes, etc . . .
Thank you so much for your comments.
Kathy
dear friedpez,
Thanks for your comment. My instrument is made by John Phillips (1987), after a Nicholas Dumont (1707) French Double. The builder is one of the best anywhere, and lives in Berkeley, CA. I commissioned it.
It's ironic that you, who recording live performances (and known as a performer), would be accused of faking your TH-cam videos, while I, a complete unknown who almost never performs in public, have not had people say that I've faked the video in my TH-cam movies --- even though I have!
Lovely playing.
perfect!
Thanks for putting some feeling into a harpsichord music. It sounds lovely. So many mechanical harpsichordist but you play fabulous and with decorum and style. I'm making an MP4 file of this playing. And who is this lady?
mind...blown...
I just heard this piece and liked very much how you played it. I noted Samantha D's comments on tempo and agree that tempo is part of what made your interpretation good in my estimation. On a different subject, after I checked your site, I noticed the 'technical " part and found that interesting. Did you by any chance know the late Andrew di Masi, of Manhattan, who used to have a similar position here?
i have just bought an early 1900 piano and just learning to play it. i have just learned what an harpsichord is and just have one question. i have just watched you play this piece beautifully so you must have plenty of practice therefore i ask you. what are the upper keys for?
That makes sense now. i admit, when i viewed this i just went by sound, i didnt bother to tilt my head sideways to actually see youre playing in Bb minor. Lo siento!
Hello!
they are not painted black, but made of ebony wood. the black naturals and white accidentals were preferred by the french builders of the 18th C., and my harpsichord follows that style.
I love the most the fugue 13 in F-sharp major in the book 1 (BWV 858). I would like to hear it played by you.
I very like Harpsichord... =O
woow... u plat very good and nice!! *O*
Good luck!
Bye~
Interesting song!
But what's the difference between the top set of keys and the bottom?
@3NUNS But people have researched for years into historical playing and now know nearly every detail about the performance of baroque music and so recordings are 99% accurate of bach's playing style
to lancemmyers:
Thanx for your comments, however I must correct a couple of things: I voiced this harpsi myself, and it is lightly voiced, I'd say. This is preferable for playing French ornaments, in fact, it's the only way! If you hear "aggressiveness", it is a VERY resonant instrument in a live room--not the voicing itself. Also, Kevin Fryer has NEVER been a business partner with John Philips! I agree that they both build great and different instruments--all with a natural resonance.
KRP
ur harpsichord has a fantastic sound. Which model is it? And congrats to u as well ofc
Great sound. What make of harpsichord is that?
breaking a chord or interval is interpretive and very natural on the harpsichord, guitar and harp--all of which are related. The edition of music one is playing from is a good sketch, but not to be taken absolutely literally in every respect. If that were the case, every interpretation would be identical!
KRP
EXTREME
Your interpretation of Bach is superb. Are you taken secrets lessons with him?
perfect technique, the way bach would have played and wanted the performer to play
you play cool music. What is the most "halloweenish" of your repetoire? Is halloweenish a word? Anyway, I enjoy your videos, ty for posting them.
Ah, makes sense because I was hearing Ab as well. :)
I would like to get one, but my house is so freaking tiny. I dont have anywhere to put it.
hello!
thank you for your comments and for asking "who is this lady?" I invite you to go to my website to discover more information about me and my philosophy about music, harpsichord and Bach.
sincerely, Kathy
Hi Mister Scarlatti !
@3NUNS from the writings of near contemporary writers and from jsb's own style of rhythmic filling out of the score and the performance standards of the time i doubt whether and doubt very much that jsb used rubato
@Imad9494 ROTFLMAO!!! Of course not! Piano works by hitting the strings with little hammers and harpsichord by plucking the strings. It acts very much as the fret on the guitar. Hope that helped to clarify things
Why didn't you include the Fugue as well?
yep
you are playing it on B blat minor?
I hear G#/Ab minor :-P